E.—l

29

HIGHER (UNIVERSITY) EDUCATION. The numbers of students on the books of the four University colleges during the past two years are as follows : —

Of the total number of students, 344 were exempt from lectures — that is, they were prevented by considerations of distance or of other special circumstances from attending college lectures, but were permitted to keep terms by passing the annual college examinations. Of the 3,858 students actually attending lectures, 1,511, or 39 per cent., were receiving free tuition (32 per cent, of the men and 57 per cent, of the women). The number of candidates for the University's examinations continue to increase. In 1923 there were 4,517 candidates for the matriculation examination, compared with 4,143 in the previous year ; for the degree examinations there were 5,575 candidates in 1923 and 5,467 in 1922. Woekers' Educational Association. The Workers' Educational Association continued its activities in 1923 in conjunction with the four University colleges. During the year there were eightyeight classes with 3,225 enrolled students, showing an increase of sixteen classes and 725 students over the 1922 figures. The Government contributes directly £2,500 per annum to the movement, in addition to which £1,250 paid by the Government out of the National Endowment Fund to the University of New Zealand is devoted to the same object, making a total of £3,750. Voluntary contributions received by the University colleges on account of the association's classes are also subsidized by the Government, the amount paid on this account in 1923-24 being £406. University Finance. The following table shows the principal receipts and payments of the University of New Zealand for the year 1923 : — I. —General Account. Receipts. £ Payments. Balance, Ist January, 1923 .. .. 14,441 Transfer to Ordinary Scholarship Ac- £ Statutory grant .. .. .. 3,845 count .. .. .. .. 1,375 National endowment .. .. 3,704 National endowment .. .. 3,704 Fees and certificates .. .. 24,524 Examinations .. .. .. 17,105 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 3,674 Office salaries and rents .. .. 3,166 Expenses of Senate sessions . . . . 966 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 2,247 English agent .. .. .. 2,632 Travelling scholarships .. .. 500 Balance, Ist January, 1924 (including balance in hands of English agent) .. 15,493 £47,188 £47,188 ll.—Ordinary Scholarship Account. Receipts. £ Payments. £ Balance, Ist January, 1924 .. .. 28,813 Scholarships .. .. .. 2,751 Transfer from General Account .. 1,375 | Balance, Ist January, 1924 .. .. 29,124 Interest .. .. .. 1,687 £31,875 £31,875 In the above statements no account has been taken of special scholarships and prize funds.

University College. 1922. Total. Men. 1923. Men. Women. Women. Total. i Auckland Victoria (Canterbury Otago 788 257 577 259 595 219 862 401 1,045 836 814 1,263 871 634 666 855 283 296 319 278 1,154 930 985 1,133 Totals 2,822 1,136 3,958 3,026 1,176 4,202