120
$
556
Hosed 150
Brought forward....$1,728 $3,641.
On the other hand the following economies may be effected. The Wong Nai Chong School has now been closed for a year, and I see no reason for re-opening it, and the salary and allowance of the Master ($424) may be struck out of the Estimates. The Vernacular School at Tangiungchau will be superseded by the new Anglo-Chinese School, and the salary and examination grant of the Master $180 be struck out. I recommend a similar economy at the expense of the Pokfulam School, of $168. The School is not very efficient, and an efficient teacher cannot be got for the salary offered. Besides the children have only half an hour to walk to Aberdeen, where there are two free Grant Schools.
Deduct savings as above..
Net Increased Cost of District Schools.
Belilios Public School. On Mrs. Bateman's retirement, which I understand will take place in 1905, I think that considerable economies may be effected in the staffing of the school. It will be remembered that early in 1901 the salaries of the Mistresses were considered, and greatly increased. Then a quite unexpected addition was made to these increased salaries, amounting to 25%, by the doubling of Exchange Compensation. A reduction of about 25% would therefore seem justifiable, as occasion arises; and it would establish a sort of proportion between the salaries of men and women teachers, the proportion of 4 to 8, which considering the market value of such services, is about what it should be. The following table shows the proposed changes:-
Present salary. Proposed Salary. Saving. Headmistress.....£860 480 1st. Assistant... 220 - 280 £270 -*360 £90 2nd. Assistant... 180 200 - 275 20 140 200 40 £150. *By triennial increments of £30. .do. of £25 .do. of £20.772
.966
Carried forward....$4,597.
There seems to be some ground for hope that the measures taken to induce the girls in the Vernacular...