Appendix N.
REPORT ON QUEEN'S COLLEGE.
1. The average daily attendance was 911: the scholars enrolled during the year numbered 1,270. The corresponding figures for 1907 were 991 and 1,401 respectively. The difference is mainly due to a reduction in the size of classes, and in a lesser degree, to the introduction of an age limit. Henceforward, no boy over 15 years of age will be admitted to Class VI; 20 is the limit of age for Class I.
2. More stringent rules with regard to leave are being gradually introduced.
3. School was in session on 224 instead of 231 days. The typhoon which passed over the Colony on the night between 27th and 28th July unroofed the central part of the Hall, and so damaged the West wing that it was deemed advisable to end the term, and hand the building over to the Public Works Department for immediate attention. The Summer Vacation accordingly began on 31st July, eight days earlier than had been originally arranged, and continued until the 8th September inclusive.
4. A revised list of School Holidays was approved by His Excellency the Governor. The Summer Vacation has been extended a week, and is now 38 instead of 31 days. Four whole-day holidays have been abolished, so that the nett increase is one of 3 days. The change is one that is much appreciated both by Staff and students.
5. The total gross expenditure, including a bonus of $600 for Colloquial Cantonese to Mr. de Martin, was $70,761, or $9,766 more than in 1907, and attributable to the low market rate of the dollar during the year.
6. The revenue of this Establishment, in spite of reduced numbers, shows an increase of $667 over that of 1907. Fees contribute 44%, and the Government 56% of the total cost of maintenance.
7. The general health of our scholars has been good. 17 boys have been off the Roll, for varying periods, on account of Scabies, and 22 for Beri-beri. Pursuant to Government orders, any boys suspected of eye-trouble have been sent to the Tung Wa Hospital for report. 11 cases were returned as suffering from Trachoma in a mild form, and underwent treatment extending from 1 to 6 months; 4 cases were returned as Trachoma in a virulent form, and 3 as not Trachoma. Boys suffering from the mild form of this disease, provided they submit to treatment, are allowed to attend School; the virulent cases are sent away until cured. Examination and treatment of Trachoma at the Tung Wa Hospital are free of charge. As recommended by the Notification, our floors are regularly mopped with a weak solution of Jeyes' Fluid to lay dust and destroy germs.
8. At the last Oxford Local Examination our candidates obtained 12 certificates, the same number as in 1906. The percentage of passes was: Seniors 30%, Juniors 33% and Preliminaries 67%. One of our Junior Candidates was the only Junior in the Far East to pass in Higher Mathematics. The Oxford Delegates are now prepared to examine Senior Candidates in Classical Chinese, and a pass in this subject, taken in conjunction with several other subjects, will exempt such a candidate from Responsions. They are also prepared to examine Preliminary, Junior and Senior Candidates in Modern Chinese. Extension of the curriculum for Chinese students ought to give them a larger chance of success in the future, enabling them to compete on more level terms with boys in England.
9. Class VII, the last remnant of the Preparatory School, was abolished in 1907. The use of slates in the Lower School was also abandoned towards the end of the year.
10. The Results of the Annual Examination, for Prizes and Promotion, held by me under Standing Orders from the Governing Body, are as under:-
Upper School............ 319 boys examined, 284 or 89% passed.
Lower School............ 514 " 470 " 91%
Total................... 833 " 754 " 90.5%
11. With the exception of Classes I B, I C and IV E, the total results, although not equal to those of last year, are nevertheless highly satisfactory. They are better than those of 1905 and 1906. The English subjects of Reading, Conversation, Dictation, Grammar, Composition and History, in the higher sections of each class, show evidence of careful teaching, and of equally careful attention on the part of the boys; the lower sections reach a satisfactory level. Increased attention is being given to the study of Phonetics, especially in the Lower School, in order to enable boys to thoroughly master the comparatively few new sounds which are necessary to a correct pronunciation of English, before...