19. The Victoria Schools are also two in number. The Boys' School stands 19 per cent higher than it did in 1875. Writing (from dictation) and arithmetic were rather weak, but in other subjects, geography especially, the proficiency was very great. The discipline of the school is hardly strict enough, but this reference to it will doubtless bring about the necessary change. It may be remarked in passing that in the majority of these schools this subject needs greater attention; for it includes not merely order and regularity, but habits of strict honesty when under examination. The necessity for keeping a close watch on the scholars while doing their written work imposes on the examiner a di agreeable duty from which he could be considerably relieved, if greater strictness were exercised throughout the year. It should not be forgotten that an adverse report on this point reduces the grant to a school by 5 per cent. The Girls' School is in a highly satisfactory condition. Although only in its first year, scholars were presented in all the standards except the sixth, and all were fit for the standards in which they were placed. Every subject was thoroughly taught, as the high per centage of passes will prove. The discipline of the school and the intelligence of the scholars were especially noted as worthy of commendation. These two schools are strictly undenominational. They are attended pricipally by Portuguese, but are open to scholars of every class and of every creed.
20. St. Paul's College School is the third of the new schools which came under the scheine during the year. It was attended by 102 scholars, and the average daily attendance was 65. The teaching power is strong, there being a European master and two Chinese assistants for the three classes into which the scholars are divided. The class-rooms are spacious and well ventilated. The school materials are good and sufficient. The discipline is good. Great proficiency was shown in all the subjects that were undertaken. Several of the boys could have been placed in higher standards; but as the school was in its first year, and consequently feeling its way, it was wisely decided to limit the standards to the first three. Writing (from dictation) was the weakest subject, but ull the others were very strong. If nothing unforeseen occurs, there is a successful future in store for this school,
21. In the Basel Mission Girls' School there was a falling off amounting to 10 per cent. This was due to the greater number of presentations in the two highest standards. It was in these alone that any weakness was shown. The others were well up to the previous inurk. There was a reinark- able fulling off in History, owing to the manager's having had to place the class entirely in the hums of the Chinese teacher, who will have to exert himself considerably before the lost ground has been recovered; but the school is in good hands, and defects have only to be pointed out to receive the attention which they require.
22. The London Mission Schools were particularly unfortunate, and the cause was clearly amu tion overleaping itself. The masters are energetic, intelligent men; but they allowed themselves to be allured, it is to be feared, by the pecuniary advantages which the higher standards offer. This was not so conspicuous at the Tái-p'ing Shán school, which has risen one per cent., but as it had a long leeway to make up, on account of the former teacher's neglect, this is not so satisfactory as it would otherwise have been. The Wán-tsni school fell from 88 to 59 per cent. No scholars were entered in the first standard, and only three in the third. The rest were distributed among the second, fifth, and sixth; and of the 16 presented in the fifth standard no fewer than 12 failed. In addition to this error of judgment, the innster made a mistake as to the amount of work he had to do, and in certain cases attempted to do just double what was required of him. The result could hardly have been otherwise that it proved. Perhaps the worst effect has been the resignation of the muster, who lost heart und gave up his post. Although the exaininer could not transgress the bounds prescribed to him, the manager would have been able to make allowance for failings which leaned to the side of duty. The same energy properly directed would, on another trial, have regained all that had been lost, and future success would have blunted the sting of last year's misfortune. At these two schools care will hence forth be taken that the manager is consulted about the classification of the scholars before the examinations take place.
23. The School Book Committee's books, which were at first neglected and not a little despise are now read in all the schools in the Colony over which there is Government supervision. Chinese, masters, like a great many grown up people, object to taking up a new study. What they were taugh at school is good enough for those whom they have to teach. The subject-matter, though very familiar to Europenis, was, it must be remembered, entirely new to the masters, who, if left to themselves. would not have taken the trouble to familiarize themselves with the contents of the books; but stenk pressure froni all who were in charge of the schools brought about a change of attitude. When the masters understood that they had to teach them, the necessary exertion was soon forthcoming, and the books are now rend side by side with the Chinese Classics and no objection offered. Three of the books have now reached the second edition, and the series promises to have more success than coul! ever liave been anticipated for it.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretory,
HONGKONG.
FREDERICK STEWART, Enspector of Schoats,