JL-1

38

Table Ja.—Number of Day and Evening Classes for, and Capitation on Attendances in respect of, certain Subjects of Technical Instruction.

There has been a considerable increase in the number of classes in subjects related to the various branches of engineering—civil, mechanical, and electrical. The provision made for the instruction as regards equipment and courses of work is in most cases quite satisfactory. While the demand for instruction in plumbing continues to be well maintained, there has been a decrease in the number of classes for carpentry and joinery, and cabinetmaking. It is to be regretted that the personnel of the classes includes in many cases but a small percentage of persons engaged in these trades. The classes for pure and applied art continue to be well supported. Full and well arranged courses are provided in most cases. Increased attention is being given to instruction in the various branches of applied art. It is gratifying to notice the steady increase in the demand for instruction in domestic subjects. Classes were held at seventy-three centres. In several schools fairly full courses in subjects bearing on the home are being gradually evolved. The. provision recently made by the Council of the Otago University in the way of special courses for the higher education of women in home science and domestic arts will, it is hoped, cause increasing attention to be given to this very important branch of education. As indicating the attention now being given to the matter, it may b< mentioned that the course in science as laid down in the calendar of the New Zealand University now includes the subject " domestic science." The demand foi instruction in commercial subjects continues to be maintain* d. The number of classes for various branches of commercial instruction was, as last year, greater than for any other branch of technical instiuction. Classes were held at forty-four centres. It is pleasing to be able to record a considerable increase in the number of classes in subjects related to agricultural and pastoral pursuits. In 1909 .-ixty classes were held at forty centres. In 1910 111 classes were held at sixty-one centres. In addition to classes for wool-sorting instruction was also given in sheep-shearing, dairying, veterinary science, agriculture, horticulture, bee-keeping, and farm carpentry. In the past the efforts of controlling authorities to provide some opportunities for instruction in subjects bearing on ruial pursuits have been attended by result? of a decidedly negative character; there now appear to be signs of some response on the part of those in whose interests these efforts have been made. Continuation classes or classes for general education have not, so far, been as widely held or as well attended as they should be. The opinion is expressed that a good dt al might be accomplished in the direction of providing attractive and at the same time educative courses of general instruction at subcentres in connection with technical schools, in the larger centres especially, utilizing foi this purpose the buildings used during the day for public-school purposes. Such courses to be successful should be short, and confined to the winter months. It is not improbable that a considerable number of young persons would on the termination of their publicschool course be willing to attend suitable classes of the kind indicated, especially

Number of Classes. Capitation. Subjects of Instruction. 1909. 1910. 1909. 1910. Engineering Lead and wood working Pure and applied art Experimental and natural science Domestic economy Commercial subjects Subjects of general education Agriculture, wool-classing, &c. 131 246 206 163 330 334 84 91 284 328 350 360 239 195 78 111 £ s. d. £ s. (I. 1,984 0 9 3,505 15 8 1,430 0 6 1,940 2 8 4,957 19 1 4,139 17 8 1,014 7 5 1,257 12 0 3,059 19 7 4,332 7 11 4,884 2 11 5,593 15 6 771 6 6 1,091 9 8 395 15 11 579 11 . 5 Totals 1,702 1,828 ■ 18,497 12 8 22,440 12 6