88
possible during the present year
As
there being
d Aum
of Fifty thousand $50,000. dollare provided for expenditure
this building.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
No. 8.
Enclosure 1.
Report by the Head Master of the Government Central School.
C. O
4163
GOVERNMENT CENTRAL SCHOOL,
HONGKONG, 21st Minutliny 1886.
Sm.--I have the honour to forward the Annual Report for 1885.
1. The total number of boys on the School Roll for the year was 596, about as high a figure as can be attained in the present building. It must, however, be understood that 499 was the largest number of boys present in the school at any one time in the course of the year. It is deserving of notice that the increase of number is due to the higher standard introduced a couple of years ago into the Middle and Lower Schools which enabled me without injury to the scholars or to the results of the examination, to promote a very large number of boys to the Upper School. The numbers on the Middle, Lower, and Preparatory School Rolls are not above the average, the increase of about 30 boys is therefore only to be accounted for by the increased Upper School Roll.
2. To illustrate the condition of the School during the last five years the following table is annexed.
1881,
1882,
1883.
1884,
1885,
1881,
1882,
1883,
1884,
1885,
YEAR.
Total Number of Scholars.
Number of
Monthly Enrolment.
Average
School Days.
Maxiinum.
Minimum.
Daily Attendance.
562
247
451
366
385
572
241
443
372
390
556
236
460
378
391
558
236
462
362
411
596
238
499
382
437
Average Expense of each Scholar per
Average Daily Attendance.
Number of
YEAR.
Percentage of
School
School Boys Examined.
Fees.
Passes.
Actual Nett Expenditure.
385
90.09
4,051
10,550.15
27.35
863
91.18
4,084
10,995.35
28.20
365
96.98
4,121
13,109.51
33.22
379
95.58
4,981
13,378.62
32.48
412
95.38
5,278
12,885.00
29.45
3. This year I introduced as a novelty a General Intelligence paper into the Examination of the First Class. The object was to discover how far the minds of the boys were educated outside the prescribed routine. The results were not high, but considering the novelty of the paper, satisfactory, 32 per cent. passing in this subject.
4. I am happy to report that the school has profited by the remarks of the Inspector of Schools in his Report of last year, there being a marked improvement in Arithmetic and Dictation and in the results from the Examination of the Anglo-Chinese School.
5. In the middle of the year I altered the course of study in the Anglo-Chinese Classes substi- tuting Reading, Dictation, and Translation from the School Committee Book No. 1. for Reading Mencius and Translating sentences turned into Chinese by the teacher,
6. The general result of the English Examination of 1885 is good. In spite of the large number 412 examined, and in spite of the papers being of a more searching character than usual throughout the School, 95 per cent. passed; which reflects great credit on all the Masters and Chinese Assistants. I think too a special word of commendation is due to the two new Masters Mr. DEALY, and Mr. JONES, who, in one year, have so readily and speedily adapted themselves to their new surroundings.
7. The following changes took place in 1885 among the Staff of Masters. Mr. JoNEs, a trained and certificated Master froin Chester Training College, with excellent testimonials arrived in January last to take the post rendered vacant by Mr. MCKINNEY's death. On the arrival of Major-General GORDON, Superintendent of the Gaol, Mr. FALCONER, who had been Acting Superintendent for 15 months returned to his duties as Second Master. In June Mr. HUTCHISON, "who had been for three years, a most energetic, successful and popular Master, resigned his appointment on leaving the Colony, after being absent for 15 months as Acting Assistant Postmaster General. As the staff of Masters was, by his resignation and after the return of Mr. FALCONER, at its normal strength, it was not considered Recessary to obtain a Master for the extra Mastership caused by the return of Mr. May from the Normal School.
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