M 16
Appendix B.
His Excellency the Governor distributed the prizes at most of the principal schools of the Colony. Brief summaries of his remarks are given below.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS (18th January).
His Excellency drew attention to the close connection between the three District Schools and Queen's College: he reminded the boys that they had a position to support and a dignity to maintain, which should make them ashamed to look slovenly, or act in any way unworthy of their positions as members of the Government Schools of the Colony. He heard with pleasure of the keen rivalry in sport that existed between the schools. Finally His Excellency drew attention to the importance of boys continuing their studies at Queen's College, and reminded them that it was the object of Government to train them not only for service in the Colony, but also for work in their own country.
ELLIS KADOORIE SCHOOL (20th January).
His Excellency alluded to the rapid growth of the school, and reminded his hearers that they were the second largest school in the Colony. They were acquiring the standard of a public school, and should realise what the name meant: an English public school boy feels he has a tradition to maintain, and would consider it beneath the form of his school to copy papers at examination or to be slovenly in dress. He is keen for the honour of his school both in class work and sport. His Excellency also drew attention to the efforts made by the Government to obtain the co-operation of the Chinese in matters of sanitation and emphasised the importance of the teaching of hygiene in schools.
DIOCESAN SCHOOL AND ORPHANAGE (23rd January).
His Excellency pointed out that the results of the Oxford Local and the hygiene examination, supplementing the reports of the Inspector, made a fairly accurate test of the relative merits of the schools of the Colony; but he would like to see some simple test of general information and intelligence. He kindly undertook to offer a prize to be competed for in these subjects. His Excellency also offered a prize to be competed for by the second elevens of schools in cricket and football, and advocated the formation of a general committee for sports and athletics.
BELILIOS PUBLIC SCHOOL (21st January).
His Excellency pointed out that two-thirds of the pupils were on the Vernacular Side of the school; while there was no desire on the part of the Government to force on the education of Chinese girls beyond the desire of their parents, it was inevitable that the boys of the Colony, on growing up, would desire to find in their wives some sympathy with their ideals and with Western learning. This could best be acquired by an education through the medium of English. He would not be sorry to see the school revert to the intention of the original founder, and become primarily a school for Chinese girls. His Excellency emphasised the importance of a study of hygiene, with a view to lessen the infant mortality.
ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE (21st December).
After congratulating the College upon the good results obtained at the Oxford Local Examinations, His Excellency pointed out that the school promised to bring a large number of undergraduates to the proposed University. He was glad also to see the special attention paid to shorthand, typewriting, and elocution.
The College was primarily an English school, though there were so many Chinese boys in attendance also. It behoved the English boys to set a good example, so that it might be seen that men of the West do not tolerate what is mean or sneaking.
VICTORIA SCHOOL (11th March).
His Excellency drew attention to the importance of boys staying at school for the full course, and in this connection pointed out the valuable advantages offered by the Technical Institute. He congratulated the school on having for the first time passed boys for the Oxford Local Examination. He hoped that it would be soon possible to select a site for a miniature rifle range to be used by the cadet corps, upon the value of which, including the instruction in first aid to the wounded that went with it, His Excellency laid great stress.