3

E.—s

Some particulars as to the age, sex, and occupations of students are as follow : —

Summary of Occupations op Students. Number of Percentage Students. of Total. Clerical pursuits .. .. .. .. ..1,996 10-9 Professional pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 3,285 18-0 Students .. .. .. .. ..2,553 14-0 Domestic pursuits .. .. .. 3,768 20-6 Agricultural pursuits .. .. . . . . . . 1,524 8-4 Various trades and industries .. .. .. .. 4,654 25-5 Other occupations not included in above - .. .. .. 467 2-6 18,247 100-0 Of the total number of males in attendance 56 per cent, were over seventeen years of age. The percentage [for the previous year was 60. A considerable decrease wa.sjexpected in view of the number of young men who have enlisted. It is gratifying to findfthat it is so small. It will be noted that about half of the total number of students were females, and, further, that about one-fourth of the students were engaged in various trades and industries. It is also evident that the schools as a whole are catering for a considerable variety of trades and occupations.

Number of Classes held during 1914 and 1915 in certain Subjects of Technical Instruction.

Commercial subjects, though the number of classes is slightly less than last year, continue to be in general demand. Full courses, both elementary and advanced, are provided at the larger schools. Engineering classes have, as in previous years, been well attended. During the year 164 approved classes were in operation, an increase of fourteen. The many and varied applications of electricity to industrial and other purposes and the rapid development of motor traction have of necessity influenced the character of the courses provided, and the school authorities are meeting as far as possible the increasing demand for instruction in electrical and motor engineering. Ten schools, including those in the four chief centres, are provided with well-equipped workshops, and offer fairly full courses, both elementary and advanced. Courses of university rank in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering are offered at the School of Engineering in connection with Canterbury College, Christchurch. Domestic subjects are included in the curricula of most of the schools. During the year 369 classes were held, an increase of thirty. As in previous years, a

Seventeen Ago anc Years of Under. Ovor Seventeen Years of Age. To i ials. lales females .. 1914. 3,347 2,816 1915. 3,948 3,361 19)4. 1915. 5,133 5,142 5,306 5,796 1 8 8 1914. 8,480 8,122 191' 4. 80 22 1915. 9,090 9,157 Totals .. 6,163 7,309 10,439 10,938 16,602 18,24-7

Subjects of Instruction. Number of Classen. Jommercial subjects lathematics and science lathematics and science applied to trades and industries )omestic science irt and art-crafts lontinuation classes 1914. 277 153 432 339 295 235 1915. 259 148 477 369 254 310 Totals 1,731 1,817