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iii technical high schools, and 112 in Maori secondary schools. The number represents 91 per cent, of the pupils of all Government schools affording secondary education. The following table gives details of the free places held in 1920 and 1921 :— Pebb Places in December, 1920 and 1921. , -—1920. . , '■ 1921. , (i.) Seoondary schools— Boys. Girls, Totals. Boys. Girls. Totals, (a.) Junior free pupils .. 2,974 2.590 5,564 2,713 2,941 5,654 [b.) Senior free pupils .. 1,242 1,047 2,289 1.723 1,163 2,886 Totals .. ..4,216 3,637 7,853 _ 4,436 4,104 8,540 (ii.) District high schools— (rt.) Junior free papils .. 809 867 1,676 841 870 1.711 (&.) Senior free pupils .. 157 1.84 341 145 173 318 Totals .. .. 966 1,051 2,017 986 1,043 2.029 (iii.) Maori .secondary .schools .. 48 50 98 50 62 112 (iv.) Technical high schools— («.) Junior free pupils .. 1,226 1.000 2,226 1,445 1,202 2,647 {b.) Senior free pupils .. 151 199 350 232 261 493 Totals .. .. 1,377 1.199 2,576 1,677 1.463 3,140 Grand totals .. 6,607 5,937 12.544 7,149 6,672 13,821 Scholarships held- at Secondary Schools and District High Schools. (See also Tables K4 and K5 in E.-6.) National Scholarships. Junior and Senior National Scholarships are awarded by the Government on the results of annual examinations, the junior examination being of a standard somewhat higher than that of the certificate of proficiency, and the candidates being not over fourteen years of age ; and the senior examination being of a standard comparable with the standard of the Public Service Entrance Examination, the candidates being not over sixteen years of age. Scholarships are awarded to all candidates reaching a certain standard, the standard of award being determined so as approximately to provide one scholarship (junior or senior) for every 500 children in attendance at all public schools ; the Junior and Senior Scholarships awarded are in the proportion of nine to five, so that there is one -Junior Scholarship among approximately every 750 pupils in attendance at the schools, or among every fifty-five S6 pupils. In the case of pupils from sole-teacher schools — i.e., schools with, an average attendance of under thirty-six —the standard of award is made 10 per cent, lower than the general standard. The standard of qualification fixed for the 1921 examinations was 64j per cent, for Junior Scholarships (general standard) and 63 per cent, for Senior Scholarships. The results of the examination were as follows : 216 candidates qualified for Junior National Scholarships, of which number ten were pupils of sole-teacher schools, and fifty-one were pupils of secondary schools. The number of successful pupils from sole-teacher schools was greater than in the previous year, and the number from secondary schools smaller. The number of candidates qualifying for Senior National Scholarships was 124, of which number only two qualified on the alternative programme provided specially to suit the needs of those taking a rural or domestic course. Junior and Senior National Scholarships are tenable at secondary schools and district high schools, each for three years, provided that the total tenure of the two scholarships in the case of one person must not exceed five years. The holder receives £5 per annum if a junior scholar, or £10 per annum if a senior scholar, with a further sum of £35 per annum in each case if obliged to live away from home.

5—E. 1.