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steadily throughout the year a certain percentage of the aggregate of marks obtained at the Half-yearly and Mid-Term Examinations is added to the marks obtained at the Annual Examination. The grand total determines the awarding of all Scholarships and Prizes, with the exception of an Examination Prize given in each Division of a Class to the boy who gets the highest aggregate of marks at the Annual Examination. Where a boy is excusably absent from one of the examinations held during the year, an average mark is allowed: other cases are considered on their merits.
Special Classes.--Although the curriculum is now based upon the Oxford Local requirements, it cannot be expected that all boys will desire to sit for the Oxford Examinations or be able to proceed to the University on leaving the College; there will always be some, too, to whom different subjects will appeal. Special Classes will therefore be formed in Classes 1 and 2 and possibly in Class 3 in such subjects as Higher Arithmetic, Higher Algebra, Higher Geometry, Trigonometry, and Classical Chinese.
Changes of Method.-Following upon the changes referred to, an attempt has been made further to systematise the teaching of the various subjects. The radical changes made of late years in Mathematical "methods" rendered it imperative that the new system as laid down by the Mathematical Association should be adopted uniformly throughout the College. At my request, Messrs. Grant and Tanner recently drew up a detailed scheme of Instruction in Mathematics to provide for this. A "Course of Geography" based to a certain extent upon the Oxford Course has also been drawn up, while a "Course in English" is in preparation. In History, Class has commenced "General History instead of English History"; a notebook on the subject has been prepared by Mr. Garrett and is now in the press. Translation has been given up in the Lower and Preparatory Schools, more time being devoted to English, but the Vernacular Studies are still carried on. In the Upper School, more attention will be devoted to Translations, and in Special Classes to Classical Chinese. In order to develop Chinese Studies and Translation, a Translation Master has been appointed. We have been fortunate in securing the Rev. H. R. Wells for this important post.
Normal Class. The new Normal Room was occupied for the first time in May, and we are now able to accommodate and train not only Queen's College Pupil Teachers but also those from the District Schools, and if required from Grant Schools.
The Normal Master, in his annual report to me, says that the Pupil Teachers in his charge have given him every satisfaction, and I can add my own testimony, from my daily observation and from the results of the Annual Examination, that they are doing very good work.
It is essential that our Pupil Teachers should have practical experience in teaching all Lower Classes. Classes 7 and 8, abolished three years ago, were therefore restored in September last, in order to afford scope for the training of Pupil Teachers. Only one Division, consisting of not more than 40 boys, is allowed in each of these Classes. No additional expense is incurred by the College on account of these Classes, whilst at the same time a slight increase in revenue is effected.
Furniture-During the year, many of the Class Rooms have been refurnished, new dual desks taking the places of the large benches formerly in use. Some single desks are now being made, and before
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