476
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bathing trips in summer, visits to most of the principal factories and sights of the Colony, such as the Ice Factory, the Museum, Taitam Reservoir, &c. I have no doubt that such expeditions will prove of a high educational value.
25. Much attention has been paid to Drawing during the past year. It is not in the least surprising to find that Chinese boys, their hands already trained to great dexterity by the use of the writing-brush, prove uncommonly apt pupils when taught in the proper way.
Yaumati School.
26. The school increased in numbers by over 15 per cent. and was practically full throughout the year. The new buildings were ready for occupation at the end of the past year, and are in all respects very satisfactory. The Estimates provided for a considerable increase in the Staff. Owing to the lack of accommodation in the old building it was not possible to fill these new appointments in the year under review: but the Assistant English Master was engaged from Home in time to begin work at the beginning of the new year, bringing the Establishment up to its full strength. It is a reasonably safe prediction to foretell that the school will develop considerably in the next year or two.
Wantsai School.
27. This is the only Government Anglo-Chinese School east of the Clock Tower, except the small school at Tanglungchau. Its advantageous situation combined with a high stand- ard of efficiency promises that its steady growth will be continued. The average attendance is now 140, as compared with 115 in 1904, and the net cost of each pupil $11.90, a very low figure.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS, LOWER GRADE.
Anglo-Indian School.
28. Mr. ARCULLI continued his subscription of $50 a month towards the expenses of the Indian School for four months, when the increasing numbers justified a removal into leased premises, and a vote was taken for it as a separate establishment from the Belilios Public School. Mrs. WHITEHEAD, who resigned at the close of the year, worked up the school into a very satisfactory condition. The maximum enrolment rose to 44, and shewed a steady increase. An Indian and a Chinese master have since been engaged, and Urdu is now a compulsory subject.
Aberdeen School.
29. The average attendance has been 24, which is satisfactory considering the smallness of the place, and the poverty of the people. The school was opened in the Spring of the
year.
Tanglungchau School.
30. This school, which was started to take the place of a small Vernacular School, has. been full throughout the year. It has proved a considerable success, and adds to the evi- dence to prove that a well-trained junior Chinese master can, if he takes pains, teach English to beginners almost as well as an English master. The connection of Tauglungchau with Wantsai has become very close, indeed it may almost be regarded as a preparatory school for the latter.
Ven Long School.
31. The small school fee of 50 cents a month was charged from the beginning of the year. This has not reduced the attendance, which was 18, as against 17 last year. The popularity of the school seems likely to increase. My Report shews that the work done is not in all subjects up to the standard required: but the difficulty of supervision, and the dull nature f the country boys must be considered to some extent as extenuating circum-
stances.