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trade or craft, voluntarily attend technical classes—in some cases on as many as four evenings per week —proves the growth of a, desire arid of a spirit which is worthy of more practical recognition. The total number of students receiving instruction in all technical classes was 19,657, as compared with 20,747 for the previous year. Of this total 2,504 students held free places at technical high schools, 4,211 held free places at other classes, and 1,324 were attending continuation and technical classes held under the regulations for compulsory attendance. As was to be expected, the demand for funds arising out of the war has had the effect of decreasing the contributions in money to technical schools from local bodies, industrial and other organizations. The sum contributed for the calendar year', and on which subsidy was paid, amounted to £1,948, a decrease of £1,011 on the contributions of 1917. This, however, can only be regarded as temporary, as there is no evidence of diminishing interest in the schools and their work. Classes other than Classes at Technical High Schools. Classes were held in 131 centres. The number of classes and the number of individual students were as follows :—

The following are some particulars of the age, sex, and occupations of students : —

Summary of Occupations op Students. Number of Percentage of Students. Totals. Clerical pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,173 12*8 Professional pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,684 15-9 Students .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,381 20*0 Domestic pursuits .. .. .. .. ~ 2,845 16*8 Agricultural pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 835 4-9 Various trades and industries .. .. .. ~ 4,493 26*6 Other occupations not stated .. . . .. .. 499 3-Q Totals .. .. .. .. .. 16.910 100*0 Number of Classes in certain Subjects of Technical Instruction held in 1917 and 1918 1917. 1918. Arts and artcrafts .. .. .. . . .. 224 235 Mechanical and electrical engineering, theoretical and practical 224 220 Building-construction, carpentry, and plumbing, and other trades .. .. . . .. . . 185 204 Experimental and natural science, mathematics, &c. . . 132 135 Agriculture, wool-sorting, dairy-work, &c. .. .. 127 98 Domestic subjects .. .. . . . . .. 364 367 Commercial subjects .. .. .. .. ~ 365 369 Subjects of general education .. .. .. .. 341 337 Totals ~ ~ ~ ~ 1,962 1,965

Number of Classes. Number o! Students. Description of Class. 1917. i 1918. 1917. 1918. Conducted by Education or High School Boards Conducted by Technical School Boards or by Managers . . Conducted by University Colleges .. . . 1,107 675 180 1,111 672 182 10,619 7.070 711 9,176 6,949 785 Totals 1,962 1,965 18,400 16,910

Seventeen Years of Ago and under. Over Seventeen Years of Age. Totals. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. Males .. females 4,673 4,657 4,100 4,009 3,990 3,573 5,025 4,071 8,669 9,731 8,230 8,680 Totals .. 8,779 8,000 9,021 8,244 18,400 10,910