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retained as the text-book in use in the elementary schools, a new and more advanced text-book should be selected for the examination of teachers for certificates, and Dr. Prout's "Elementary lessons on Hygiene and Sanitation, with special reference to the tropics," was chosen. Questions based on this book will, therefore, be set at the examination of teachers in December, 1908. The Board also agreed to the insertion of hygiene among the "obligatory subjects" for which grants are given to the primary schools. The Acting Principal Medical Officer is of opinion that no certificates of having passed Standard VII. should be given to any pupil who has not shown a fair proficiency in this subject.

4. The actual value of the training thus given, as shown in its practical influ- ence on the homes and habits of the natives, will be somewhat difficult to appraise. A long and careful inspection of the schools where the training is given, and of the towns and villages where the schools are situated, as well as study of the domestic habits of the scholars and teachers, will first be necessary. At present it is the opinion of the Acting Principal Medical Officer that the uneducated native is more cleanly than his educated brother, especially Fantis, living in the more artificial conditions of the coast towns. In this connection, it is not without interest to observe, in the table of marks obtained by candidates for teachers' certificates in the late examination, that the lowest marks were almost invariably gained by teachers or students from Cape Coast. There are many pupils in the schools whose sur- roundings militate strongly against progress in sanitation, especially in cases where one member of a large family has been sent to school by his parents; and it would be most interesting to observe whether any practical advance in sanitary habits can be effected by such a scholar among his relatives.

5. As far as the Medical Department is concerned, instructions were issued to medical officers to teach elementary hygiene to the subordinates, and for some time past instruction has been given in elementary hygiene to dispensers. During the year 1906, six dispensers and one dresser acted as Inspectors of Nuisances, defi- nitely appointed, and they received useful experience in practical sanitation. About six dressers in Ashanti and the Northern Territories also had practical experience. The teaching of elementary hygiene has been made compulsory for dispensers and dressers, and, wherever possible, practical work will be given.

C. H. HART DAVIS,

Acting Director of Education.

(No. 02/455.) SIR,

113

Enclosure in No. 64.

Commissioner's Office, Grand Turk, June 22, 1907. WITH reference to the circular, dated 28th March, 1907, of the Secretary of State, I have the honour to reply that the "How to keep Healthy" Rules pre- pared by the Government Medical Officer have been distributed among the public schools of the Dependency.

2. The Inspector of Schools reports that the principles of elementary hygiene were intelligently taught, and well understood by the pupils.

I have, &c.,

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Jamaica.

27726

No. 65.

SOUTH AFRICA.

F. H. WATKINS,

Commissioner.

HIGH COMMISSIONER THE EARL OF SELBORNE to THE EARL OF ELGIN. (Received August 3, 1907.)

(No. 581.)

MY LORD,

High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg,

July 15, 1907. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Lordship's circular despatch of March 28th,* relative to the teaching of the rudiments of hygiene in the schools of tropical territories.

2. I enclose copies of despatches from the Acting Administrator of Southeru Rhodesia, the Resident Commissioner of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, the Deputy Resident Commissioner of Swaziland, and the Administrator of North-Western Rhodesia on the subject, from which you will observe that the only progress it was found possible to make in this movement during last year in the various territories under my control was in Southern Rhodesia.

3. I shall be glad if your Lordship will furnish me with the information asked for by Sir Thomas Scanlen.

June 28, 1907.

27382

No. 64.

I have, &c.,

SELBORNE,

High Commissioner.

Enclosure 1 in No. 65.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

6

C.0.885

JAMAICA (TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS).

GOVERNOR SIR S. OLIVIER to THE EARL OF ELGIN.

(No. 405.)

MY LORD,

(Received August 1, 1907.)

King's House, Jamaica, July 17, 1907.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's circular despatch, dated the 28th March, 1907,* transmitting a précis of reports from Crown Colonies and Protectorates showing the progress made during 1905 in teaching the rudiments of hygiene in schools.

2. I now enclose a copy of a letter from the Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos Islands reporting the distribution among the public schools of the dependency of the pamphlet How to keep Healthy," copies of which were forwarded to you under cover of Sir Alexander Swettenham's despatch, No. 148, of the 28th March, 1906.†

I have, &c.,

SYDNEY OLIVIER,

Governor.

(High Commissioner. No. 144.) MY LORD,

Administrator's Office, Salisbury, June 6, 1907. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch, No. 14/48, of the 13th May, forwarding a copy of a further despatch from the Secretary of State on the subject of the teaching of tropical hygiene in schools.

In reply I beg to transmit herewith a memorandum on what has been done in this matter in schools in Southern Rhodesia during the year 1906. With regard

to the fourth paragraph of the Secretary of State's despatch, the most useful magic lantern slides in this territory at present would be those illustrating the life history of the mosquito, and its relation to malaria. I should be glad if a list could be furnished of slides dealing with the whole subject of hygiene in order that such a selection as would be suitable to this territory could be made.

His Excellency

The High Commissioner,

Johannesburg.

I have, &c.,

THOMAS C. SCANLEN,

Acting Administrator.

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† No. 18.

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• No. 51.

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