English History, Grammar, Geography, Mathematics, &c. were entirely conducted, questions an answers, oral and written, in the Latin language, only a slight idea could be formed of the difficulty experienced by Japanese and Chinese in examinations conducted in English; for after all, there is a certain amount of kinship between English and Latin in thought, roots, construction and expressios, absolutely wanting between English and Japanese or Chinese.
I also found from conversation with Professor MASON, at a health resort in Japan last summer, that the attainments of our boys after four or five years, compare very favourably with those of Japanese after a nine years' course; great proficiency in English Conversation, Grammar, Composition, &c. is the exception not the rule, dependent on the natural abilities of the boys, not on the system of education.
1895.
QUEEN'S COLLEGE.
Month.
Number of Scholars.
Number of Attendances.
Number of
School Days.
Average Daily Attendance.
Remarks.
577
6,794
13
522.61
Jasugry.
745
6,970
10
697.00
Febrody,
773
March,
18,077
26
695.27
785
9,755
14
696.78
404
788
17,798
25
711.92
717
16,423
24
681.29
715
14,949
23
649.95
July,
646
3,095
5
619.00
Augast,
September,
780
12,526
19
659.26
729
o
16,774
25
630,96
676
15,739
26
605.34
630
12,916
23
561.86
April,
June,
6. The Second Master, Mr. MAY, returned from leave in April, and Mr. BaRLow in August, May, Mr. JONES went on leave in July. The office of Seventh Assistant Master was abolished, the Governing Body recommending a graduated scale of higher salaries for the Chinese Staff. Of the four Chinese Assistants, who, as mentioned in my last Report, taught classes in the Upper School in 1894 with such excellent results, two have left for higher salary; Mr. WAN going to a new university recently opened at Tientsin, and Mr. LEUNG obtaining transfer to the Public Works Department The great bulk of our Chinese Staff now consists of junior men, and it is to be recorded to their great credit, that they have uniformly strenuously striven to sustain the standards of the classes entrusted to their charge.
7. The results of the Oxford Local Examinations are this year very disappointing, being fur behind the most satisfactory ones of the two preceding years, It is not, however, possible to maintain an even standard of excellence for any length of time, especially in view of the difficulties resulting from irregular attendance, detailed above. There are, however, two redeeming features, which deserve to be noted. Out of the eight boys from this college, who received certificates, two obtained distinction. U HANG-KAM, already A.A. in 1894, aspired to distinction in Mathematics, and was successful, ranking 12 out of 23 Seniors, so honoured in all England. C. ELLIS was similarly 3 out of 12 in the list, distinguished in History in the Preliminary Examination.
8. It is much to be wished, that some plan could be devised for reducing the distracting noises, by which our work is continually interrupted. I refer especially to the nuisance arising from processions, which, I believe, are required to hush their music in the neighbourhood of the Supreme Court and other Public Buildings, but which seem to reserve their energies for our benefit. Just recently a new cause of annoyance has arisen, the dressing of rough hewn stones in Staunton Street I have often suggested the blocking-up of the loop-holes in the boundary wall of the same street, as these apertures reveal an irresistible vista for cock-shy to the gamins of that district; during the examination, a small urchin threw quite a big stone into the Hall. A more serious subject for complaint is the immoral reputation of the immediate neighbourhood of this college; it being a matter of common knowledge that brothels and secret gambling dens abound, which prove a source of ruin to several of our scholars.
9. The usual Tables of Statistics are attached.
I have the honour to be,
December,
Total,.
150,816
Total Number of ATTENDANCEs during 1895, Number of School DAYS during 1895,
233
Average DAILY ATTENDANCE during 1895, Total Number of SCHOLARS at this School during 1895,
.150,816. 233.
647.28 1,024.
GEO. II. BATESON WRIGHT, D.D. Oxox,
Head Master,
AVERAGE EXPENSES of each Scholar at QUEEN'S COLLEGE during 1895,
Expenditure-
Cash Book,
Crown Agents,
Arreurs 1894,
Cash Book, Exchange Compensation,
Do.,
do., Crown Agents, Adjustment of Exchange,
$29,901.24
3,416.76
4,125.81
2,640,99
1,651,54
$41,736.34
Honourable J. H. STEWART Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary,
Deduct
Sir,
· Your most obedient Servant,
School Fees. Refund,
.$12,667.00
Salary of Master on losu to Kowloon,
1.00
616.00
Total Expense of the College,...
$18,184.00
.$28,552.34
GEO. II. BATESON WRIGHT, D.D. Oxos,
Head Master.
Average Exponse of each Scholar per No, on Roll,
Do.
do.
per Average Daily Attendance,.
.$27.88
44.11
Gro. H. BATEson Wright, D.D. Oxon, Head Muster.
NB-The figures against Crown Agents are an estimate only, and will doubtless require to be corrected when
correct details reach the Treasury.