3
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These figures compare very favourably with those of 1903, but, with the exception of Class II. A, which is deserving of special mention, the general tone of work throughout the College was lower than in the previous year. The total marks obtained by the head-boys of classes were lower, and marks 34-49, -Fair, were far too common. These facts coupled with the depression referred to above in Oxford Local results, corroborate the estimate formed in the course of the year by my staff and myself that 1904, as compared with 1902, 1903, was a year of "lean kine".
9. Reading, Dictation, Composition, History and Shakespeare were the sub- jects in which boys most fully repaid the labours of their Masters. Both the Translations from and into Chinese, now confined to the Upper School, were well done, there being considerable improvement in the attempts to render the unseen pieces given in both subjects to all three classes. Mathematics were very weak, Algebra being the best subject, Euclid and Mensuration the worst. Book-keeping in Class II. A proved a fiasco, serious blunders vitiating 70 per cent. of the papers.
10. Conversation.-One of the instructions to H. M. Inspectors of Schools in England is to test the extent to which English boys understand the subject matter which they have read. I have always pursued this excellent course, and find this year that boys in the Lower and Preparatory Schools have a very slight acquaintance with the meaning of sentences read by themselves but a few seconds before. Conversation, though creditable, is on the whole considerably below the standard attained in 1903, the weakness being specially noticeable in classes II. B, III. B, C and IV. B. English Masters being responsible for this subject in the three first named classes, it is manifest that the source of the weakness must be sought else- where than in the Native teacher. The fact is that the cream of all the sections of Class IV. go into III. A, and similarly in other classes; the B sections get boys of lower mental calibre.
11. I append a Report by the Normal Master, M. TANNER, upon the Pupil Teachers under his charge. I agree with him that they have all worked well, and paid great attention to his instruction. I cannot speak too highly of the manner in which Mr. TANNER has discharged his duties as Normal Master, he seems specially adapted to the work, and shows considerable tact in encouraging these young teach- ers. I must confess however that after my observation of the excellence of the course of instruction given in Conversation, I was diappointed in the actual know- ledge displayed at the Examination. Even in the Preparatory School I could not accept as conversation "That is Queen's College, Sir," &c. No boy could indicate and name in succession the streets he would pass in going from Queen's College to the Clock Tower or the Civil Hospital, there was also an astounding ignorance of the locality of the Gaol. Again it would appear that pictures do not convey a clear idea to the Chinese mind: one boy called a green hill studded with trees a cloud, several pointed to a cart as an animal. Seasons and dates, buman dress and re- lationships appear to have been entirely forgotten after a careful drilling of several months. Strange to say one of the best classes at Conversation was the bottom Class VIII. C, composed of boys who entered in September (not in March). The Pupil Teachers passed a very creditable examination in Dictation, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, Composition, Translations and in Practical and Theoretical teaching. CHAN SZ-YUI came out head of the list.
12. I heartily endorse the praise given in the Report of the Independent Exa- miners to the five Masters of Vernacular School for their efficient and successful teaching in subjects and on lines entirely new to them. I was particularly struck with the excellent discipline maintained by them, which shows a marked improve- ment on the conditions ten years ago, when an audible hush from the Master heralded the approach of the Headmaster. Six Masters, including my Chinese teacher, sat in conclave to mark all the papers and agree upon failures and order of merit. 738 boys were examined, one third being in the bottom class, and one thirteenth in the top. 97 per cent. of the boys passed. A satisfactory feature was the laudable improvement of several boys, who after failing at Midsummer rose twenty or even thirty places at the Annual Examination. It is to be hoped that in a few years, boys will be more equally distributed among the five classes, and that fewer boys will fail to pass the simple Entrance test examination.
13. Discipline in the College remains excellent. There is however a matter affecting what may be called external discipline to which I desire to draw the atten- tion of the public. There is a tendency on the part of some Chinese parents and guardians to treat Queen's College, as if it were a hotel. Boys are taken away and