The course of instruction consisted of Cookery, Domestic Economy, Housewifery, Ambulance, Home Nursing, Hygiene, Elementary Applied Science, English, and Household Accounts.

A dining-room is conducted in connection with the College, in order to dispose of the dishes prepared by the students. In this way the cost of the instruction to the students is lessened, and facilities are provided for training them in the methods of management of a diningroom. The meals served have met with high commendation from those who have partaken of them, and there is no doubt that in the years to come the girls trained will prove efficient housewives.

Of the students who completed the first year's course, fifteen have been selected to proceed with a second year's training.

At the beginning of the current year a Domestic Science Day School was opened in connection with the Central Technical College, on similar lines to that in operation at Ipswich, and it is expected that it will prove equally successful.

PROPOSED PREPARATORY DAY TRADE SCHOOL FOR IPSWICH.

It is realised that the colleges have not yet reached their full measure of usefulness as preparatory trade training institutions, and it is proposed, when opportunity offers, to inaugurate at Ipswich a Preparatory Day Trade School for boys who desire to enter the various mechanical trades. The function of such a school would not be the training of tradesmen, but the preparation. of school-boys for entering trade workshops as apprentices. It was not found practicable to open the proposed school at the beginning of last year, as the old Central Girls' School was required for Technical College classes, but an effort should be made to open the school as soon as possible. Ipswich should prove the most suitable centre in the State in which to start such a school, as there are a large number of apprentices required by the several industries of the town. Under such a scheme as the one proposed, the trade training proper would be undertaken after the lad has left the Preparatory Trade School, and the apprenticeship would then consist of workshop and college training combined.

DIPLOMA COURSE IN MECHANICAL AND

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.

Up to the present time, arrangements have been made for conducting this course in the Central and Ipswich Colleges. In the Central College, students may undertake the work of the four years, but in Ipswich the equipment and instruction have so far been provided only for the first two years of the course. A number of the Ipswich students who were undertaking the ourse have enlisted, and the one remaining student will this year attend the Central Technical College for most of the subjects. Only a small proportion of those who enter upon the course succeed in reaching the third and fourth years, as the standard of examination is high. So far three students have passed the fourth year examinations and qualified for the diploma.

TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEES AT THE CENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

With a view to gaining the interest and practical assistance of the employers and employees, Trade Advisory Committees have been inaugurated in connection with the Engineering, Plumbing, Woodworking, and Electrical Wiring Classes at the Central Technical College. The chief function of these committees will be to ensure that the class-work is being carried out on practical lines, and to advise in connection with the preparation of the exercises and directions to students. It is anticipated that this linking up of the College class-work with the trade will result in an improved system of training, and the future journeymen and masters and the State generally should benefit.

CLASSES FOR STATE SCHOOL PUPILS.

During the year free places have been granted to 1,237 State School pupils to enable them to attend Technical Colleges for such subjects as Manual Training, Bookkeeping, Shorthand, Geometrical Drawing, Dressmaking, Cookery and Millinery. In most cases the privilege has been highly appreciated, and the pupils have reaped much benefit from the instruction given. In the manner indicated above it has been found possible to bring the benefits of a certain amount of elementary manual instruction within the reach of about 50 per cent. of the Sixth Class pupils of the State.

During the current year the number of free places has been considerably increased, and a number of additional free places in Cookery at the Central Technical College have been granted.

ENROLMENTS.

The statistics as to the classes in operation, students enrolled, and teachers employed are shown in Table I. On comparing the figures with those of last year, it is found that there have been increases in the number of different subjects taught and in the number of teachers employed of 1 per cent. and 6 per cent. respectively.

The total number of students who enrolled during the year was 7,522 as compared with 7,820 for 1914, or a decrease of 3.8 per cent. The number of class enrolments was 8,069, a decrease of 313, or 4 per cent. on the figures for 1914. It is noticeable that there was an increase of 4.5 per cent. in the number of male students attending, while there was a decrease of 458, or 11 per cent., in the number of females. It is rather striking also that the decreases in the number of females were most marked in the centres where the effects of the drought were most keenly felt, and this appears to indicate that the decreases in incomes had a considerable effect in reducing the number of enrolments. The average attendance decreased from 6,481 in 1914 to 6,257 in 1915, or 3-5 per cent. The average attendance was 77-5 per cent. of the average enrolment, and this is a high figure when all the factors influencing it are taken into consideration. There was a decrease of 3-8 per cent. in the total number of hours of instruction, but it is gratifying to find that a larger propor tion of the students attended full courses of instruction.

EXAMINATIONS.

On referring to Table II., details as to the examination entries, passes, &c., will be found. There was a slight increase in the number of entries from 4,699 in 1914 to 4,713 in 1915, or 3 per cent., and the total number of successes increased by 45, or 2 per cent. It is noticeable also that the number of candidates who gained honours and credit increased from 1,501 in 1914 to 1,678 in 1915, an increase of 12 per cent. Although the statistics for the examinations have shown a considerable improvement during recent years, it must be admitted that larger numbers should look upon entrance for the examinations as a natural sequence to taking up the courses of instruction.

EXPENDITURE.

Particulars as to the expenditure on Technieal Education during 1915 are given in Table III. The gross expenditure on Technical Education during 1915 was £73,592 as compared with £87,903 for 1914, a decrease of 16.3 per cent. Of the total amount spent during 1915 only £27,451 was expended on actual class-work, the remainder representing the expenditure on buildings and equipment. As the Central, Rockhampton, and Warwick Colleges are now completed, the expenditure on buildings for the current year will be much less than that for 1915. The net cost of Technical Education per head of population amounts to the modest sum of 9-75d.

CONCLUSION.

Under existing circumstances it must be considered that the figures for the year are very satisfactory, as the colleges, in common with all other institutions, have felt the effects of the Great War. Large numbers of our most promising students have enlisted, and some of the elasses in the higher grade subjects have been practically depleted.

Red Cross work has been undertaken by a number of the classes on the women's side, and much good work has been done.

In some instances the increased cost of living has been a bar to students entering the classes, even though the fees are very reasonable.

At present a great number of students undertake the first year of a course, and do not proceed further as there is no compulsion, and only the impelling force, in most cases meagre, of the student's knowledge of profit gained to himself. It is advisable, if funds permit, to inaugurate in the near future a system of scholarships whereby a student, on passing the examinations for one year of the course in any department, may be allowed to undertake a further year of instruction without payment of fees. This would act as an incentive to the students in their work, and would also ensure that no earnest student is debarred from entrance to classes through his lack of funds. The decrease in fees received under such a system should not amount to more than 10 per cent. of the total fees now received. In the case of the country colleges, not directly controlled by the Department, the claims of earnest students could be met by granting subsidy as though fees had been paid. Such a system of award of free instruction as the above should be more effective than any scheme for compulsory continuation schools, as the element of interest in the classwork would be introduced.

Of the total number of employees in the State, the great majority are engaged in the unskilled or only partly skilled trades. The only method of reaching such is to show them that they have a pecuniary interest in attending College classes, or to inspire them with a love for some particular branch of study so that they take it up as a hobby. Even in the latter case much good is done, as the mental power is thereby more usefully employed.

I have, &c.,

LEONARD MORRIS,
Superintendent of Technical Education.

The Under Secretary,
Department of Public Instruction, Brisbane.

:

Sandgate

Rockhampton

Mount Morgan

31

11

4

15

Toowoomba

17

5

Townsville

18 14

Warwick

2753

12 160

401-40 595.00

1,014 20,170

3

66

33 30 85

Brisbane, 14th April, 1916.

SIR, I have the honour to forward my report upon the working of the Central Technical College for the year 1915.

NEW BUILDINGS.

Work in the old College buildings ceased on the 24th November, 1914, and from that date to the date of opening of the College in its new quarters, all members of the staff were engaged in preparing for the continuance, in buildings and amongst surroundings better suited to the nature of the work of the College, of those activities which had originated and developed in the rented premises in Ann street.

The opening of the College was projected to take place on the 1st February, but not until the 15th February were the furnishing, lighting, and equipment of the rooms sufficiently far advanced to permit of the commencement of instruction.

The probable effect of the change of location from the heart of the city to the comparative seclusion of the old Government House Domain was matter for conjecture prior to the opening. Observation and experience during the year led one to the conclusion that distance from

means of communication acted as a deterrent, while the superior teaching equipment and general conditions attracted. What the precise effect of the change of site has been is not well ascertainable under the present abnormal conditions. The war, the tendency towards the exercise of economy in directions not regarded as vital, and the distance from tram routes tend to divert students from the College, while the accommodation, the equipment, and the general conditions under which students work attract them. The factors operating detrimentally to the College's wider usefulness, though, are transitory; the effect of even the distance from trams and trains will diminish as memory of the well-favoured location of the former College building fades.

Altogether, opening as the College did under conditions which were not devoid of cause for anxiety, the importance which the College proved itself in 1915 to possess was gratifying. The effect of the war was felt, but to an apparent extent that was much less than was anticipated.

After twelve months' occupation of the new buildings, differences in the rates of growth of different departments of College work are noticeable. The buildings were planned five years before occupation, and the estimates of requirements made so long ago have naturally not been realised. In some directions the accommodation is taxed now; in other directions room for expansion still exists.

EFFECTS OF THE WAR.

The

All departments have suffered from the effects of the war; all have suffered through the departure of students, some through the enlistment of members of their staffs as well. Some hundreds of students have enlisted for active service, and eight members of the staff have joined the Australian Imperial Forces. latter embrace, in alphabetical order, Messrs. A. Burns, draftsman; E. George, assistant carpenter; W. E. Gray, Lecturer in Physics; H. P. Hamilton, Assistant in Chemistry; H. P. Leslie, Instructor in Bookkeeping; N. Loftus, Electrician; C. E. Plant, Supervisior of the Department of Building; and P. Wilson, Assistant in the Engineering Department. In making reference to the number of students who have enlisted, particular mention must be made of the Wool Department, which, though in numbers a relatively small department, has contributed to the forces over forty past and present students.

ΑΡΡΟΙΝΤMENT OF ADVISORY
COMMITTEES.

For some time the matter of trade education possible in the College has received consideration. It has been thought that its efficiency would be beneficially affected by the greater intimacy of the College's connection with the trades themselves, and that this greater intimacy would be secured by the formation of committees of advice in connection with those trades in the work of which instruction is given in the College.

It is gratifying to be able to record that during the year four Trade Advisory Committees, in connection with Carpentry and Joinery, Electricians' Work, Fitting and Machining, and Plumbing respectively were established. In constitution they were representative of all the interests concerned in the respective trades. The Carpentry and Joinery Committee includes Messrs. Gillespie and Juster, representing the Queensland Master Builders' Association, Mr. Kingwell representing the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters, and Mr. Wright representing the Australian Carpenters' Union. The Electricians' Work Advisory Committee includes the members of the Board of Examiners in connection with the Electrical Industry appointed under "The Electric Light and Power Act of 1896," this board comprising Messrs. Cochrane, representing the Electrical Authorities; Woodcock, the Electrical Contractors; Silcock, the Fire Underwriters' Association; L'Estrange, the employees in the Electrical Industry; and Professor Gibson, the Education Department. The Fitting and Machining Committee includes Messrs. Chapman and Goldsmith, representing the Ironmasters' Association of Queensland, and Messrs. Boddington and Taylor, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. The Plumbing Ad

:

Originally intended to be instituted as from the beginning of the year, lack of funds during 1915 prevented the materialisation during that year of the full-day course of Instruction in Housewifery. Arrangements were made, however, for the opening of the course as from the beginning of the current year. The course includes instruction in Cookery, Sewing, Dressmaking, Millinery, Laundry-work, and Housekeeping, as well as continued instruction in Arithmetic and English; everything, in fact, pertaining to the keeping of a home. The course has now been established. The dishes cooked in the students' practice provide lunches and dinners for students and staff, and, so far as cookery is concerned, the course bids fair to be self-supporting.

SUGAR CHEMISTRY COURSE.-The passing of "The Regulation of Sugar Cane Prices Act of 1915" appeared likely to create during the 1916 crushing season a demand for qualified sugar chemists in excess of the normal supply. Arrangements were therefore made for the holding of a full-day course in Sugar Chemistry from February to June of the current year. Labora tories were adapted to the purpose of the class, a polariscope room was erected and fitted, and nineteen students have enrolled with the object of qualifying as sugar chemists eligible for appointment under the Act above mentioned.

TELEPHONE MECHANICS' COURSE.-During the year the College was recognised by the Deputy Postmaster-General as the sole institution in the Brisbane district for the training of lads desirous of appointment as junior telephone mechanics. Classes were established and were well attended. Now classes are in operation for the training of junior mechanics and for supplementing the training of mechanics as well.

CORRESPONDENCE TUITION.

This department of the College's work proved of continued usefulness during the year 1915. Courses in Bookkeeping, Accountancy, the subjects of the Teachers' Class III. Examination, and the subjects of the Matriculation Examination were offered and were availed of.

There enrolled in Bookkeeping 6 students, in Accountancy 4 students, in preparation for the Teachers' Class III. Examination 61 students, and in preparation for the Queensland University Matriculation Examination 39 students. These represented 21 subject enrolments in Bookkeeping and Accountancy, 218 subject enrolments for the Teachers' Class III. Examination, and 96 subject enrolments for the Matriculation Examination.

ENROLMENTS.

The various figures for the year 1915 are a slight advance upon the corresponding figures for the year 1914. The average enrolment per term during 1915 was 4,189 as against 4,151 for the year 1914; the number of day school pupils was 203 in 1915 as against 180 in 1914; the number of entries in diploma and other courses was 334 in 1915 as against 179 in 1914.

Statistical particulars concerning enrol ments in the various departments, entries in diploma and other courses, and enrolments in the Day School will be found in Tables I., II., and III. appended hereto respectively.