#
6
"Second,That in connection with this building there be provided a residence for a European Master, who shall form and conduct English Classes; and that only in the schools concentrated there shall English be tauglit.
"Third,―That this European Master, aided by a Board of Education, constituted like the present, or modified as circumstances may rendered desirable, exercise a superiu- tendence over the other schools in Aberdeen and the vil- lages over the Island.
"This plan would retain all the advantages of the pre- sent system of inspection, and might be expected to pro- duce real and definite results, which cannot now be looked for.
"In the first place, the Government would have an officer, himself actively engaged in the work of Education. "In the second place, the English Education carried on under the Master's eye would be more efficient than it is now, and he would be able to collect into his own clus- ses the praits whose progress and interest in their studies gave promise of their making real attainments.
"In the third place, many young Chinese, well-educa- ted in schools in China, and connected with Chinese firms and families in the Colony, would be found to enter his English classes.
"In the fourth place, an impulse would be given to the Chinese education carried on in the concentrated schools. The teachers under the immediate and daily observation of their superintendent might be expected to be diligent and earnest to further the progress of their pupils. And an influence would go out from their schools, which would tell upon those in the villages.
"There would be the outlay for the building which this plan supposes, but the permanent expenditure for such a system would not be very much larger than that of the present; And fees should be charged from pupils attend- ing the English classes, who did not enter from the Govern- ment Schools. My own opinion is that these would amount to no inconsiderable sum."
On the 25th of March 1861, His Excellency, Sir Her cules Robinson brought to the notice of the Legislative Conneil the above mentioned scheme and suggested that inland lot 78 in Gough Street, which was reported by the
Surveyor General as suited for the object in view and could be obtained with the building thereon for a sum not The Council exceeding $20,000 should be purchase. approved of it.
On the 2st April 1861 there was published in the Government Gazette the Report of the board of Education for the year 1860 in which it is said that, pending the ap- pointment of a successor to Mr. Lobschied, the Rev. Mr. Irwin with Dr. Legge and Rev. Mr. Beach had undertaken to look after the schools. They reported generally in fa- vour of the schools. A total of 986 scholars, of whom 46 were girls, were on the rolls. The cost of each scholar was from £1. to 1, 10.
At the beginning of the year two teachers were ap pointed to several of the schools, but the benefit has not equalled expectation. The Board is of opinion that ex- cepting in the very largest schools, it will be advisable to encourage a monitorial system in preference, in the arran- gaments for next year.
"The attendance has been in general good. It fluc- timates, however, and in all the schools it gradually dimi nishes towards the end of the year. This is an evil, which is unavoidable in the village schools, where the children are drawn off to assist in agricultural labour, and where the fishing population is large. But the Board is of opinion that it may be combatted to some extent even in those cases, and more effectively in the schools in Victoria and other benefits also be secured, by the insti- tution of a judicious system of rewards for good attendan- ce, good behaviour and proficiency.
"The Board cannot speak very favourably of the English classes. The teachers, indeed, are willing and attentive, but they need the counsel sud counteunuco also, of an In- spector. Still the Board does not recommend any consi- derable change in the arrangements of this department, for the coming year. Education in English should in its opinion enter more largely into the conduct of the principal schools than it has yet doue. Some at least of the young men now employed may be found useful assistants in the new plan of management which the Board has submitted to His Excellency.
In the month of June the plans for the erections of a school house ou lot 78 were ready and tenders were called for. This turned out to be the present Central School.
11