E.—s

8

the opportunities offered. The important fact that by-laws even if made must be largely inoperative unless backed by a healthy public opinion appears to be thoroughly recognized. It is worthy of note in this connection that the Scotch Education Department, in a circular letter issued in 1909 dealing with the compulsory education question, recommends School Boards to use every device to stimulate voluntary effort before applying compulsion; and, further, that the Committee of the Privy Council on Education in Scotland, in their report for the year 1909-10, state that they have no desire that in this weighty matter School Boards should act otherwise than with the greatest deliberation and circumspection. As regards New Zealand the amending Act of last session empowers school committees to request Education Boards to frame regulations requiring the attendance at continuation or technical classes of young people within the school district who are not otherwise receiving a suitable education, or who are not specially exempted by such regulations. Already there are indications in certain districts of a desire to establish compulsory classes under the Act, and in one district at least regulations have been drafted. The attention of those who are moving in the matter is earnestly invited to what has been said in regard to the attitude of the Scotch School Boards to the question of compulsory education for adolescents. It is of the utmost importance that no definite action should be contemplated until there is good reason for believing that the school district is ready for the change, nor until a well considered and practicable scheme of instruction suited to the needs of the district and of the young persons concerned has been formulated. The Education Boards in the various districts in which attention is being given to the question of compulsory attendance no doubt fully recognize that to put forward, for the sake, say, of being first in the field, some ill-considered scheme unsuited to the district and unsatisfying to the students would be to court failure at the outset. The chief sources of income and items of expenditure in respect of day and evening classes, exclusive of " College " classes, may be summarized as follows : — Receipts. £ Expenditure. £ Capitation on attendances and for free Administration, &c. . . . . 7,258 places .. .. . .. 33,211 Salaries of instructors .. .. 31,534 Voluntary contributions and subsidies Buildings and equipment . . .. 16,720 thereon .. .. .. .. 8,569 Students' fees .. .. .. 9,428 . Grants for buildings and equipment .. 9,226 Totals, 1910 .. .. £60,434 £55,512 Totals, 1909 .. . . £63,931 £60,919 Free places were enjoyed by 3,244 students, of whom 2,098, or about 65 per cent., were under instruction at classes other than classes at day technical schools.

The following table gives the school age and sex of students holding free places at technical schools and classes during the year.

Day Technical Schools. 01 Other Classes. Ither Classes ;s. School Age. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. , .. i First yea i . . Junior ixeo P u P ,ls Second ,1 ( First year -.. Senior free pupils Second year I Third year. . 355 381 736 11:.' 175 287 26 64 90 12 15 27 2 4 6 688 257 189 104 57 406 184 116 73 24 1,094 44 J 805 177 81 Totals 507 639 1,146 507 639 1,146 1,295 1,295 —1— 803 803 2,098 2.098