January 19, 1898.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
at this function on so many occasions. I now ask you to kindly distribute the prizes.
resigned from the 30th September. During his nine years' service, he proved himself a capable and energetic master, all the classes under His EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR distributed bis charge passing with very high percentages the prizes and then said-Boys of Queen's Fat the annual examinations. The college ex-
College, I have been bere five or six times, as perienced another serious loss in the untimely Dr. Wright has informed you, and I have on death, last August, of Mr. Chu Tsun-ching. third each occasion spoken to you after the distribu- Chinese assistant, for many years most success-tion of the prizes, but I have very great pleasure fully in charge of the fourth class. Mr. Chu this morning in saying that although it gives was head boy of the second class at the first me the greatest possible delight to give away annnal examination conducted by me on my all these prizes I have been relieved of the most arrival in January, 1882, and with one exception difficult task by the kindness of Sir John Car- was the oldest of the Chinese assistants who rington (Chief Justice). He has kindly con. began their professional career under my sented to
address you on education. One management. Being of a bright, cheerful dis of his hobbies is education, and he knows position, he was a general favourite with the more about it than I do, and therefore I whole staff, English and Chinese. Mr. Barclay, who acted for Mr, Jameson, left in July on obtaining an appointment as head master of an English school at Nanking. We were for tunate in securing the services of Mr. Hankey in October, to supply the vacancy. Mr. Wood, cock, returned from leave in the middle of October. In September Mr. Jones, who re- turned from leave in January, was temporarily transferred to the Supreme Court, as we then were daily expecting Mr. Jameson's return.
12. The rapid promotions amongst the Chi- nese staff call for some remark. Mr. Luk Sik- kwong, who was second pupil teacher last Janu- ary, is now Acting 6th Chinese Assistant, which represents a rise of seven steps in twelve months. No fewer than 17 different men were acting monitors and pupil teachers, Considerable strain has therefore heen put on all the junior Chinese assistants and pop teachers, which was further intensified by the backwardness of their pupils (par 7). It affords me much pleasure to be able to speak very highly of the steady courage which they exhibited in coping with these difficulties.
13. Four boys, none of whom was in Chinese dress, obtained Oxford Local certificates, two Senior and two Junior. As this represents only 18 per cent. instead of our usual 50 per cent., the result is very disappointing. The depletion of the Upper School, referred to in my last report, is the chief cause, as may be gathered from the fact that only seven boys remained in December to represent I.A. and I.B. classes together.
14-The Hongkong Branch of the Navy League awarded two prizes of $20 each to C. B. Hayward and R. Pestonjee respectively for suc- -cessful essays on the subjects "The Command of the Sea" and "The Use of the British Navy." The Chairman at the annual meeting paid a well-deserved compliment to Mr. Machell on the instruction given by him to the boys in six lectures. I cannot do better than seize this opportunity for recording my appreciation of the improvement in the general work. of I.C. in the past year.
15.-On my return from Japan, in Septem- ber, I noticed that the entire interior of the building had been coloured and painted. For this we are indebted to the activity of the Act- ing Director of Works (Hon. W. Chatham), as previously it had been considered impossible to perform this feat within the limits of the vaca tion-four weeks. Keeping the interior of a school bright and fresh is not, a luxury, it con- duces largely to the cheerfulness and health of scholars and masters. I would suggest there- fore that, if practicable, the interior should be at least colour-washed once in four or five years. It is nearly twice that period of time since the original painting of this building.
16-I regret to have to report that there is no. abatement in the immoral notoriety of the immediate neighbourhood of this College, mentioned in my annual report two years ago. It would appear that existing legislation is too Cumbrous a a machine to set in motion for the removal of a well known and generally admitted nuisance from a district in the vicinity of several public buildings, a hospital, a chapel. a large boys' school, and the Bellios Public School for Girls..
After reading the report Dr. BATESON WRIGHT said--I have now the pleasure, Sir, of welcoming you here. This is the seventh occasion on which it has been possible for yon to attend the prize distribution here and, as far as I remember, there was only one occasion on which you were unable to be present. I to not think any other Governor has been present
will call upon him to take the place I have taken during the past six years. (Applause).
school and upon the scholars in his annual address.
His Excellency sometime ago ap- pointed a Governing Body especially charged with this matter. The Governing Body have, as far as practicable, endeavoured to carry out those wishes, and I, as a member, wish to say that we have always met with the most cordial support in this respect from Dr. Bateson Wright, the head master. (Applause.) I have no doubt that our efforts will be crowned with success and that by and by it will be said that English is thoroughly and successfully taught in Queen's College. I think we have a right to expect that you boys should give your minds to this matter. This is a British colony; most of you are British subjects-bare British mothers and fathers-and we have a right to see that you speak your mother tongue. It is Sir JOHN CARRINGTON, who was most right to do so. You come to this school, which cordially received, said-Your Excellency, Dr. was started by the British Government, and Wright, ladies and gentlemen, boys of Queen's we have a right to demand that you should College, this is the first time I have had the give your attention to and endeavour to learn pleasure of addressing you, and 1 hope it the English language. That is a point of duty, will not be the last time. My title to address There is also the point of self interest. Now is you consists, in the first place, in the kindness the time to realize that it will be for your bene. of His Excellency the Governor in asking me fit and advantage as men when you grow up to say a few words to you to-day. My title if you get a sufficient acquaintance and know- in the second place consists in what His ledge of the English language. (Applause.) Excellency bas referred to-the great interest Just consider the avenues of employment and I feel in the subject of education generally, usefulness that will be open to you by your and, I may say, especially my great belief in doing so. You will more readily obtain employ- the advantages for a boy of a well-spent school mert in the hongs in the colony and the hongs lite. (Applanse.) His Excellency was dis-up and down the coast. You will more readily tributing the prizes a few days ago at the find employment in the Government service of Diocesan School and Orphanage and he was this colony or in the Government service of the good enough to say then that it was a nice great Chinese Empire. For example, take His thing to be-a-Chief Justice. Well, ladies and Excellency Wu Ting-fang, who received his gentlemen, I suppose it is in many ways a good English education in this colony, or at any rate thing to be a Chief Justice, but I will say this, he was Anglicized in this colony and who is now that if it happens that I am a Chief Justice it the successful Minister of the Chinese Empire is directly and absolutely owing to the fact that to the United States of America.. (Applause.) while I was at school I was a very painstaking, More and more the Chinese Government will industrious, and steady boy. (Applause.) Now be getting to realize the importance and value you will forgive me for not telling you that story of having servants who are acquainted with at length, because it is a personal matter. Well, Western knowledge and Western science,
and it is a nice thing to be a Chief Justice; it is a nicer thing to be a Governor. (Langhter and Applause). You will all admit that; and I have very little doubt that His Excellency is a Governor while I am only a Chief Justice simply because while at school he was a more· painstaking, industrious boy than I
you have the idea that it is not wise (Laughter and Applause.) However, I do not and proper for you to become anglicized. stand here to speak about these more or less English is becoming more and more the personal matters, but I stand here to speak from universal language of the world. English a text which is furnished by the report of the people dominate the trade of these far Eastern seas. Bear this matter in mind and I am examiners who have recently conducted the examination of this school. You are all aware, quite sure you will realize the benefits that of course, that within the last few weeks you will accrue to you by having a thorough know- have been passing under the bands of Mr. Cob-ledge of the English language and of English bold and Mr. Pearce, and I will read to you the literature and Western science. I have already following extract from their very interesting kept you time on that topic and I report: "We strongly recommend the iu hope you will bear in mind what I have
said and what was said creased study of the English language and us
the subject, far as possible under English masters. Beliering to my knowledge, last year.. I should now that the large number of admissions during the like to say one word with regard to your conduct. I have often said last year has been chiefly due to the increasing studies and desire on the part of the Chinese to receive an similar words to boys on occasions of this kind English education we trust that the College and I suppose boys think us a little tiresome. will be fully able to meet their demand." Now, They think that we old men want to put old boys, when I came to this colóny about heads on young shoulders. But that is not the twenty months ago I was very much struck by the general ignorance of the English language which prevailed among the Chinese population of Hongkong. You go into a shop and the shopman can hardly attend your order because be does not know English. You go into Chinatown and ask your way about and not a man can tell you. You get a No. 1 boy as your servant.
was.
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and
we believe that you can get that here, that if you get it thoroughly and well you will have a better chance of em- ployment in the great Government' of the neighbouring empire. I exhort you and put it to you to abandon the idea altogether
case;
some
such an operation must fail. We do not want to do that, but a little sound whole- some advice from those who have gone further along the field of life than you have cannot do wrong if you will listen to it and endeavour to take it in. My advice to you is, make the most of your school time. Remember always that the boy is father of the
man. He may speak English, but Remember that your success in life may if he does it is English that you can bardly depend to a great extent on the way in which understand. In the Supreme Court out of fifty yon conduct yourself at school, on the way in witnesses there may be one who can speak English which you waster your lessons, on the way in correctly. That is a strange state of things, which you behave to your fellow-boys, and on and we look to Queen's College to remedy the way in which you behave to your masters. that state of things. Queen's College is the All these are elements in the making of the head of the educational system of the colony. future man. Now, those of you who have got. It is a large and well equipped Government in prizes, do not think that you have achieved the stitution, and I think we have a right to expect end of life. here is a great deal more to be that English should be thoroughly well taught done even at school. Do not let your success in this school and that, consistent with the time-fall away while pursuing your studies. Let it he stays in the school, no boy should leave its be an incentive to do your work more and more doors without having an adequate knowledge of thoroughly. Those who have not got prizes the English language. That is a thing, I suffer a disappointment for the time being, but think, we should all aim at in this school. His yon must make up your mind that next time Ex ellency has for several years now im- you will get prizes, and remember that you can pressed this point upon the masters of the all so carry through your studies as to make