1887-1903
HONG KONG 1901.
15
IV.-EDUCATION.
1
The system and methods of education in the Colony are fully described in the Report for 1899, since which time there have been few changes. The whole system of education is at present under consideration, and may shortly undergo considerable modifications as the outcome of the deliberations of a special committee appointed towards the close of the year. A description of any changes which may take place should find a place in the next Report.
The principal school in the Colony is Queen's College, an institution which forms a distinct Government Department. The total number of pupils on the roll (European, Chinese and other Asiatics) is nearly 1,500. The average annual expenses of each boy are less than $18, and the total fees received by Government amount to over $28,000. There is a large staff of English and Chinese masters, who provide the pupils with an education which not only enables many of them to compete successfully in the Oxford local examinations but also fits them for important posts as interpreters and clerks in the Government service and in mercantile houses.
There is a growing feeling amongst both British and Chinese residents that the system of educating European and native children side by side in the same schools is not without its serious drawbacks. The subject has been fully dealt with in a Petition forwarded to you in September last, and the outcome will probably be the establishment of one or more good schools for European boys and girls and similar schools for the children of the better-class Chinese.
V.-PUBLIC WORKS.
The total expenditure on Public Works during the year was $687,325.70.
The principal work initiated was a greatly enlarged scheme for the construction of water-works to supply the Kowloon Peninsula with water by gravitation, the estimated cost of the work being $835,000. The reservoir to be constructed is situated in the New Territory, in connection with the development of which several works were in progress, principal among them being the road to Taipo, 16 miles in length.
Work was begun on an additional reservoir at Tytam for increasing the supply of water to the City of Victoria.
A number of buildings were in progress, including the new Law Courts, Harbour Office, Western Market, and Governor's Peak Residence.
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