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posed by them, nearly all of which were accepted; and the Code received its final form and came into force with the approval of all concerned. The following are the main changes in addition to those already enumerated :----
(a.) A lower rate of grant is given to the three lowest Classes, and a higher to the five highest Classes, thus favouring schools where the standard of instruction is higher. But this system demanded a uniform nomenclature and standard of efficiency in the Classes of schools. Accordingly
(b.) the new Code prescribes that the standard of instruction in the three highest Classes shall be that of the Oxford Local Senior, Junior, and Preliminary examinations respectively. This does not mean that a school must necessarily send pupils in for these examinations. It does mean that if a school has no pupils fit to take the Oxford Senior, it shall not claim to have a Class 1. Having regard to the various subjects which may be taken for the Oxford Local, this system need not produce any lack of wholesome variety among schools.
(c.) The Oxford Local Senior is to be the initial standard of the matriculation examination into the University It seemed therefore desirable that pupils in our schools should be further familiarised with this test. Accordingly a special grant is now given for successes at the Oxford examinations,
(d.) Some changes were made in the method of paying grants to Vernacular Schools; and the distinction between Upper and Lower Grade Schools was abolished.
(e.) A qualifying entrance examination in the Vernacular, similar to that enforced for many years in the case of Government English Schools for Chinese, was adopted for the Grant English Schools for Chinese.
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS. (Table I)
QUEEN'S COLLEGE.
13. Queen's College.—The Staff of the College is composed of one Headmaster, one Second Master, and eleven English Assistant Masters, at least two of whom are usually on leave, eleven Chinese Masters teaching English, and five Vernacular Masters. It was further strengthened at the end of the year by the appointment of the Reverend H. R. Wells as Translation Master.
14. The average attendance is 642, as against 805 last year, and 911 in 1909. As already stated, this large reduction is the result of the deliberate policy of the Government in reducing the size of Classes. It is also due to two further causes. The increased fees caused a number of boys to leave earlier than they would otherwise have done, and an act of indiscipline towards the end of the year resulted in the expulsion of a considerable number of boys. The more effective tuition made possible by the smaller size of the Classes, together with the many changes that are being made to secure a more practical and more varied education for the boys, should combine to effect an increase in numbers before long.