115
No. 10.
HONGKONG.
No.-9
REPORT OF THE HEAD MASTER OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE FOR THE YEAR 1898.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
99
QUEEN'S COLLEGE, HONGKONG, 21st January, 1899.
SIR, I have the honour to forward the Annual Report on this College for the year 1898. 1. The total number on the roll for the year 1898 was 1,344, or 132 in excess of the previous year. The largest numbers present in any one month were 1,014 in February and 1,007 in March, as against 961 and 953 in 1897. The largest attendance on one day was 991, while in 1897 it was 911. 2. In spite of thus raising our number of seats from 924 to 1,014, we were obliged to turn away over 120 boys. I therefore reported to the Government that the demand for admission exceeded the accommodation, and recommended an increase in the rate of Fees from 1st April. His Excellency the Acting Governor, on the advice of the Governing Body, approved; and Government Notification 103 was accordingly published.
3. The attendance from the end of March onwards was seriously affected by the Plague, so that it is not possible to make a reliable report on the effect of raising the Fees. I am, however, of opinion that not more than a dozen boys left on the latter account. Over 100 boys returned in September, cheerfully paying arrears, which varied from $12 to $18; and 148 new boys were admitted, the largest number ever enrolled in the last quarter of the year; both which facts may be taken as indi- cations that the Chinese recognise the increased rate as reasonable.
4. The total amount of Fees was $21,593, which is an increase of $8,138 upon the previous year's revenue from this source, and more than double the collection in 1896. Owing to à reduction of $1,200 in the Crown Agents' Account, the cost of the College to the Government was $16,303 or $9,320 less than in 1897.
5. The following Table will illustrate the varying fortunes of the College, during the last five years :-
Number of Scolars.
Number of School Days.
Monthly Enrolment.
Average Daily Attendance.
School Fees.
Maximum. Minimum.
Average Ex- Actual Nett pense of each Expenditure.
Scholar for Average Daily Attendance.
1894
1048
222
881
85
545
$11,562
$25,752.00
$47.22
1895
1024
233
788
577
547
12,667
28,431.50
43.61
1896
988
235
677
489
521
9,948
27,541.15
52.86
1897
1212
230
961
531
825
13,460
25,623.52
31.06
1898
1344
235
1,014
669
753
21,593
16,303.91
21.65
6. In my last Report, I stated that my suggestion for the appointment of 4 Senior and 4 Junior Assistant Masters, instead of 6 Assistant Masters had been approved; but that we should have to await a further vacancy amongst the Senior Assistant Masters before the full number of 8 Assistant Masters could be attained. In view, however, of the increased attendance and ampler revenue, it has been decided to appoint a Third Junior Assistant Master at once.
7. Owing to various Departmental economies ($1,953), the total extra increase in the Estimated Expenditure for 1899, due to these changes is $2,207; at which extra cost, the College has the benefit of two additional English Masters and a Native Mathematical Master. A further reduction of at least $1,272 will be effected when, in accordance with the approved scheme, it shall be found practicable to transfer to other departments one Senior English Assistant Master and two Senior Chinese Assistants. This will leave at the most $935, as the final actual extra expenditure, incurred by these changes.
8. Mr. E. RALPHS was appointed on 23rd March, and Mr. B. JAMES, B.A., of Merton College, Oxford, arrived on the last day of September. These gentlemen are the two Junior Assistant Masters selected, in lieu of appointing one Senior Assistant Master to the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. JAMESON, in September, 1897.
9. On the 1st March, Mr. U HANG-KAM, A.A., distinguished in Mathematics at the Oxford Senior Local Examination 1895, was appointed Native Mathematical Master on probation, till the end of the year. He discharged his duties most satisfactorily, and was confirmed in the post from the 1st January. The advantages, expected to be derived by placing English and Senior Chinese Masters in charge of lower classes, for a short time daily, have been realised; and in a year or two, great improve- ment in intelligence and acquaintance with English should be perceptible.
10. Mr. JONES has been seconded to the Supreme Court, throughout the year. Mr. MACHELL went on twelve months' leave after six years' service and nearly a dozen years' continuous residence in the Colony. Mr. HANKEY, who was acting for Mr. JONES, left for Australia on 1st July. Mr. Li UT, tenth Chinese Assistant, died of small-pox in January last.