&—l.

Summary of Occupations of Students. Number of Percentage Students. of Total. Clerical pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 1,874 11-3 Professional pursuits .. ~ .. .. .. 2,820 17-0 Students .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,179 13-1 Domestic pursuits ... .. .. .. .. 3,339 20-1 Agricultural pursuits .. .. ~ .. .. 1,545 9-3 Various trades .. .. .. .. .. ..4,618 27-8 Other occupations not included in above .. .. .. 227 14 16,602 100-0 It is to be noted that of the total number of individual students nearly half were females ; and, further, that of the total number of students over seventeen years of age more than half were females. It is gratifying also to record that the number of students following agricultural pursuits shows an increase of 45 per cent, over the number for the previous year. A glance at the summary of occupations of students reveals the fact that the schools do in some measure meet the requirements of most sections of the community.

Table Jb.—Number of Classes held during 1914 in certain Subjects of Technical Instruction.

The demand for instruction in commercial subjects continues to be maintained. In addition to for higher commercial work at each of the four University colleges full courses of instruction, both elementary and advanced, are provided at all of the larger technical schools. • Classes for mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering, in that order, continue to be well supported. The number of recognized classes in operation during the year was 150. As regards mechanical engineering, ten technical schools, including those in chief centres, are now provided with well-equipped workshops, and are ablejto offer fairly full courses, both elementary and advanced. Courses of university-rank in each of the three branches of engineering are provided at the School of Engineering in connection with Canterbury College, Christchurch. There has been a considerable increase in the number of classes for domestic subjects. During the year 339 classes were held, an increase of about 12 per cent. The subjects most in demand were cookery (including invalid and high-class cookery), home nursing, dressmaking and millinery. A number of classes have been carried on in country districts, the instruction in most cases being given by itinerant instructors sent out from central schools. The special courses in home science and domestic arts at the Otago University continue to meet with satisfactory support. Of the forty-seven students who attended during the year thirteen were taking the course for the diploma and twelve that for the degree. Three students completed the former and one the latter course. Government bursaries were awarded to nineteen students who had signified their intention to qualify as teachers of domestic subjects. Seven of the students who have completed their courses are now engaged in. teaching in various parts of the Dominion. With the view of affording special, facilities for training in housecraft a hostel has been established in connection with the University. The number of students in residence is fifteen.

44

Subjects of Instruction. Number of Classes. Commercial subjects Mathematics and science Mathematics and science applied to trades and industries Domestic science A.rt and art-crafts Continuation classes 1913. 268 118 408 299 314 219 I 914. 277 153 432 339 295 235 Totals 1,626 1,731