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advisable. It would not, however, be difficult, and it is certainly necessary, to deal more directly than has hitherto been the case with the fixed boat population at such places as Shankiwan, Aberdeen etc.. At present there is no lack of school accommodation for this class of persons. Your Lordship will observe from D. Eitel's report that there are no less than 38 schools in existence in or near the districts and waters inhabited by them. Many of these schools are free, charging no fees whatever, and are not only open to, but specially invite the attendance of the children of the Boat people. In addition to these free schools, there are at least 8 with a very low rate of fees. "It is obvious, however, that as yet only a small proportion
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