1873 — Page 197

previous one, who would not bate a tittle of his rights. The present master makes no complaints, but it is currently reported and generally believed in Aberdeen and other adjacent places that, instead of receiving anything, he hes to give mouthly presents to certain of the villagers for the privilege of getting their children to tench. The school has improved considerably under the pre- sent master. In order of efficiency it was last on the list in 1872. It is now twentieth, but it will be long before it is in a very satisfuctory state, if the people continue to do as they have been doing,

9. The number enrolled at the 15 schools which are entirely under Government control was 998, giving an average of 67 scholars to each. These schools are now getting into a very satisfactory condition, as far as numbers and regularity are concerned. They were long a source of much trouble. A school would be first on the list this year and at the bottom of it the next, without any very apparent reason for the change. No doubt the getting quit of many unqualified musters, and the fact that both masters and scholars now know better what is expected of them, have gone far to bring this about. These schools, ten years ago, were as unsatisfactory as the aided schools are now; and it is this which gives rise to the hope that before another decade is over an equally great change will have taken place in all the native schools in the Colony.

10. The best of the 15 schools is the one at Stanley. The present master has the credit of making it what it is. It is a model of order and regularity, and is in high esteem in the village. The master, however, is very unwilling to remain. He is dissatisfied with the place, as it removes him so far from anything like congenial society. The people, too, do not seem to live together in great harmony, and he is very much afraid of getting mixed up with their disputes. It will be a serious matter for the school if he cannot be persuaded to remain.

11. The schools at Sui-ying Pún, Shêung Wán, Túi Wong Kung, Wántrai and Shau-ki Wán come next in order. At these, the attendance is very large and very regular. At no place has the advantage of a good master been so evident as at Sháu-kí Wán. Three years ago, it had become & question whether any further attempt should be made to maintain a school in the village. When a Hákká master was appointed, failure was attributed to the indifference of the people. When he was succeeded by a Púnti, similar excuses were never wanting. Under the present innster, both Púntis and Hákkás avail themselves of the school, and express themselves as highly satisfied. If the people were more straightforward when anything is really amiss with a school, salutary changea would be effected more rapidly; but, as a rule, they are studiously silent until their information is no longer of any use.

12. The chunge at Aberdeen, recommended last year, has now been carried into effect. The best scholar at the Central School was appointed master. English is taught in the forenoon and Chinese in the afternoon. Nothing more was attempted than reading, writing and arithmetic, and possibly little more may be effected during the present year. The little, however, that was attempted was well done; and, taking all things into consideration, the examination at the end of the year was sufficiently satisfactory.

13. The change took place in March, and before the end of the month, 18 scholars were enrolled. They cane in very gradually. The new régime was not so popular as some expected; but it was much better thint the school should gradually make its way, than be frequented at first and ultimately deserted. The attendance was very regular for six months; but, after that, it declined rapidly, till in November there were only seven scholars. The master got disheartened and insisted on re- signing. There was much difficulty in persuading him to stay. The reason given for withdrawing the boys was that, as they had failed to learn to speak English in six months, there was no hope of their ever being able to do so. It was thus the immediate prospect of turning a knowledge of English to practical account that induced the parents to send their children. Mere mental im provement was an element in the calculation which it never occurred to them to include. Not. withstanding this, the number of scholars rose to 18 again in December, and 17 were present on the examination day. Nothing startling was ever expected from the change, and years may elapse before much good is done, but in its ultimate success there need be no want of confidence. Prejudices are not removed in a year, and Chinese prejudice in favour of their own system of education is too firmly rooted to be uptorn by any sudden effort.

14. The Central School has reached its culmination as regards numbers and efficiency if the building and the teaching stuff remain as they are. It might have been nearer the truth to have said that it had already begun to decline, for it is impossible that only three English masters can do justice to so many scholars. During the year, 502 were enrolled. The highest attendance was 364, the lowest 308. The average number enrolled during the twelve months was 349, and the average attendance for the same period was 329. This is very much in advance of previous years, but here advancement must stop for the present, simply from want of room.

15. There is no reason to suppose that any difficulty will be made about the appointment of an additional master, and that in itself will be of the greatest possible advantage to the school. A new building is a very different matter; but, as the Government is fully alive to the inadequacy of the present accommodation and to the desirability of having as early as possible a school worthy of the name, it is sufficient to record the want here, that there may be no cliance of its being lost sight of On these two points, that of a new master and a new school, a special report was made in July last It is not necessary, therefore, to go into the details again.

16. In the month of May last, the sum of $3,000 was handed over to Trustees by the members of the late Morrison Education Society to found a Scholarship at this school. Up to the present,