# M 7
## DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
The three District Schools of Saiyingpun, Yaumati and Wantsai fully shared in the general increase of attendance at Anglo-Chinese Schools, as can be seen from Table I. The fees collected were $20,703 as compared with $16,708.
All three schools were practically full for the greater part of the year, and during a considerable part of it were overcrowded in the lowest Classes, where the pressure makes itself manifest. Regulations which will prevent overcrowding in future have now been made.
The following increases in the establishments over those of last year were provided:-
Saiyingpun.-One Grade II, one Grade III, two Grade VI Chinese Masters.
Wantsai.-One Grade II, one Grade V, one Grade VI Chinese Masters.
In addition, Mrs. Morris, Headmistress, Victoria School, was attached to the Staff of Saiyingpun. The experiment of putting a junior Chinese Class under an English lady was new in Government Schools, and has proved most successful. I have never seen a better Class of beginners than hers was by the end of the year.
On the whole the three schools are doing very satisfactory work. There are several points of detail which require more attention, and these can be conveniently considered under the next heading.
## Entrance Examinations to Queen's College.
There have for many years been four scholarships awarded to boys from the District Schools tenable at the College. In 1909 the number offered was increased to 17. The examination in previous years was held without any particular reference to the work done by the candidates at their schools. This year I decided that it should be conducted strictly on the lines of the school work; and, that it might form a convenient test of the work in the highest Class, all boys who were eligible were compelled to compete.
Of the 17 scholarships, 7 fell to Wantsai, 6 to Saiyingpun and 4 to Yaumati. It is interesting to note that two of the successful candidates were already free scholars, one from Tanglungchau and one from the New Territory. The success of Wantsai is remarkable and a matter of congratulation for the Staff of that school. Saiyingpun obtained one or two places less than might have been expected from the numbers of the school, and Yaumati about her just share. I do not attach overmuch importance to the results of a single examination in weighing the merits of schools, but the relative percentages of marks gained are interesting. They form a curious contrast with the eighty and ninety per cent. averages which will be found given,