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The Course of Study in the Upper School is not at all extensive, but it is remarkably thorough. Problems involving common sense are very well done.
French. This subject was introduced at the beginning of the year. It is taken in the Lower School for one hour a week only. This is quite useless. The study had better be reserved to the Upper School. There, it has not hitherto been taught in the modern way of teaching languages. This is a pity, as the Headmistress speaks the language fluently. Unless every lesson can be inade a colloquial lesson, no real progress can be expected.
Hygiene. The results at examination were not.very satisfactory. Some questions were very well answered: others quite the contrary.
Musical Drill.—Simple exercises based on Ling's System of Swedish Drill have been taught twice weekly, the children taking much pleasure in these lessons. Since these exercises have been taught regularly a marked improvement has taken place in the way that the children hold themselves.
Singing. Mr. FULLER, F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., reports on 22nd December, 1905: I have "examined the method of singing taught at Kowloon School, and consider it entirely "satisfactory; I was much pleased at the care evinced both in the teaching and rendering "of what I heard.”
Needlework.-The Sub-Inspector of Needlework reports that (apart from a break-down "in the matter of button holes) a steady improvement is noticeable on comparing the work "of the Lower Classes with that done by the Iligher Forms.”
Kindergarten. Has been taught to the Infants, and consisted of simple lessons in paper-folding, mat-weaving, card-pricking, embroidery and crayon work. The last subject was also taught to the Lower School.
Scripture. The following Report is by the Rev. C. H. HICKLING :-" I examined the Scholars in three sections.
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"In Form IV six girls were present. They had a two hours' Paper of questions on the "Fourth Gospel, The Acts of the Apostles (Chapters 1 to 15), and the portions committed to memory. The results were only moderately good. Had I had this evidence only my report must have been unfavourable. But immediately after the written answers had been "collected, a further test was given viva voce. This was far more satisfactory in every respect. It became evident that questions not directly categorical or couched in unfamiliar "forms, together with the written instead of the spoken mode of answering, accounted for "most of what was disappointing. The reproduction from memory was very good. In "Forms I, II and III eleven girls were present, of whom, I understood, that two only had "had the lessons for the whole year. The examination was oral on the twelve selected portions of the First and Third Gospel, and on the six passages committed to memory. "Here the answers were prompt and clear in diction. Five did excellently well; two over
very good; two moderately good; and two must be regarded as having failed.
"In the Lower School, thirty-four boys and girls presented themselves. During seven months of actual teaching, they had been taught twenty-seven stories from the Old "and New Testaments; they had also committed to memory two Psalms and learnt to sing "well several Hymns. The questions were distributed over the whole number, but not in
rotation. The answers were prompt, accurate and exhaustive of the History.
With very
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few exceptions, the children had clear views of the narratives, with glimpses of allusions in "other parts of Scripture. Their repetition was accurate. In behavior they had been well "trained."
No. 2.--Victoria British School.
Staff-W. H. WILLIAMS, F.R.G.S., and Mrs. MURRAY.
Discipline and Organization. The discipline is very good, considering the short time the school has been in existence. The organization of the Infant and Lower Schools seems quite satisfactory. In the Upper School it is quite impossible to express a definite opinion, as the pupils have come into the school at intervals, during the few months that the School has been open; and it cannot be said with any certainty, how far their attainments and weak points are attributable to their former education. I have therefore not attempted to criticise the work done by them at examination in any detail. But without laying the
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