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In the Gercrnment Gazette of the 12th February appear- ed the annual report from Mr. Stewart on the state of the Government Schools for the year 1875.
In the Native Schools supported by Government there had been a decrease of 38 as compared with previous years.
This was owing to a change of four of the musters."
In spite of defective accommodation and other draw. hacks, the Central School is steadily progressing there being an increase of 28.
Mr. Stewart dwells in some paragraphs on the exami- nation papers. The examinations are held by the masters in Committee.
The grant-in-aid schools are still nine in number. The total number of scholars at these schools was 679 and the amount of grant given to them, was $1,451,00,
The outlay for all the schools was $18,895,99, from which deducted the fees remains a sum of $16,800,99,
We read in the Daily Press that 28 of the late pupils of the Central School had been drafted for service in the Foo- elow arsenal,
From Mr. Stewart's report for the year 1876 we learn that there was a marked increase in attendance at all the schools, whether taken collectively or in accordance with the classification usually adopted in these reports,
One very important feature in the history of the year was the great increase in the number of girls at the various schools. Mr. Stewart dwells on the denominational schools, which receive grants-in-aid. Experience has shown the necessity of one or two modifications of the ori. ginal scheme. It is now evident that the values of the pas ses should be raised and it will be also proposed to pay for attendance. With regard to the results of the examination held at these schools the passes amounted to 77 per cent. Eleven schools received grants-in-aid. The total number of their scholars was 751 and the amount of grant was $1,697.
The school book Commitee's books which were at first neglected and not a little despised are now read in all the schools in the Colony over which there is Goverument supervision.
The expenditure during the year amounted to $18, 624,85, from which deducting the fees received there re- mains the sum of $15,836,00.
The total number of children attending schools of all denominations in the Colony was 4,640-of whom 2171-
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were frequenting the Government Schools and 2,460 be- longed to denominational Christian Schools and native Con- fucian Schools, leaving 12,000 uneducated children in the colony, the total number of children therein, from six years of age up to sixteen, being, according to the seneus, 16,640. The last report of schools which appeared for the year 1876 was that of the Roman Catholic Educational and Charitable Institutions. The different Establishmente are taken according to their local position, beginning from the East, and the report furnishes detailed accounts of the work done by each in all branches.
The number of the children has increased. A new College was opened in Caine Road; leaving in St. Sa- viour's the Chinese, divided into three different schools; all the Europeans have been transferred to the new St. Joseph's College.
We read in the Raport the following :—
It is extraordinary how these schools have prospered under the direction of the Christian Brothers. These admi- rable teachers first arrived in Hongkong and took charge of the European boys at St. Saviour's on the 15th November 1875. There were then only 70 pupils, and three of the Brothers were more than sufficient for the work. In the mouth of June 1876 the pupils were 125, and nothing but the want of accommodation prevented a large increase in the number. The transfer to the present premises in Caine Road was made about that time, and a fourth class was formed. At the end of last year the pupils frequent- ing St. Joseph's schools numbered one hundred and sixty-five, and, as we write, there are not far from two hun- dred, with five masters, thus leaving more room at St. Saviour's for the Chinese, among whom also there has been an increase lately.
"The building now known as St. Joseph's College was formerly a private house, aud although, for a dwelling house very large and commodious, it is far from being large enough for the number of pupils frequenting it.
"It was the best and largest we could get at the time. It would be by no means easy at the present time to find another building more suitabile, and it would cost a very considerable sum of money, even if land could be had, to erect a proper school house, or, even to enlarge the present We have not the means and know not where to look for them.
"It is a great mistake on the part of those who have to
Due.
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