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All the Schools are below establishment in the matter of local instructors, Singa- pore being most favourably placed, having four instructors and being ready to ap- point a foundryman with pattern making knowledge when available. It is probable that Penang will be brought up to establishment as the number of classes increases.

These instructors are found to be very satisfactory, all having held the post of foreman in some local undertaking. Most appear to be men of about forty and seem very keen and careful.

(4) CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.

The reasons underlying the establishment of Trade Schools in the Straits Settle- ments and Federated Malay States are of extremely diverse natures, and it is remark- able that their establishment should in each case be the solution of the difficulties.

FEDERATED MALAY STATES SCHOOLS.

Kuala Lumpur:Until recent years the Malay, the local son of the soil, has been able to supply his wants by purely agricultural pursuits, the ranks of the motor me- chanics, fitters, carpenters and other trades being recruited from immigrant Chinese and Tamils. The policy of the Malay States is to give the Malay a chance to compete in the industrial field, and for this reason students are practically all Malays, chiefly recruited from country villages. All candidates must have completed Standard V of the Malay Schools, and the age of entry is about sixteen. No knowledge of English is required and there is no organisation for its systematic teaching.

Until this year no fees were charged, and a maintenance allowance of $10 per month was granted to each pupil, a hostel being provided near the school. All students. are resident and their accommodation is assessed at $7 per month, leaving $3 for other expenses.

This year's entry is charged a fee of $3 per month; must pay for accommodation in the hostel; and provide overalls as required. The demand for places is as keen as

ever.

Kuala Lumpur School is most interesting as being the only school which has hitherto had much experience of placing students who have completed their course in jobs with engineering concerns. Up to date the position is :-

No. of Students who have completed course

No. of Students employed at trade

70

55

a record by no means discreditable when the conditions in the Federated Malay States. are considered, especially as several students not employed at their trade have missed chances through lack of English.

As a direct measure of the standard of skill attained, eight students have been engaged from time to time by the Royal Air Force Base, Singapore, at $2.40 per day. All have been highly satisfactory, and when a specialist in metalling steel liners was required, application for such a man was first made to Kuala Lumpur.

The workshop machinery is driven by a heavy oil engine which is run and main- tained by students, who carry out all running adjustments and repairs. Two boys: run the engine for a week, and during this time they strip, inspect and re-erect it- quite a big job. This side of the work has enabled many to qualify for the State Certificate of ability to take charge of engines up to 200 Horse Power and a number are employed at tin mines on this work.*

Owing to the depression there is likely to be some difficulty in placing boys pass- ing out this year, but a scheme is being propounded whereby they will pass out to the Central Workshops of the Federated Malay States Railway at Kuala Lumpur as im- provers.

*Similar work is done at Ipoh and Singapore.