1873 — Page 199

22. Wántsai and T'ai-p'ing Shan Chapel Schools for Chinese boys are under the Management of the Revd. Dr. EITEL. At the former, 54 scholars were enrolled during the year. The average monthly eurolment was 54, and the daily attendance varied from 48 to 52. The number examined wus 42, and of these 19 passed very satisfactorily. Scholars were presented under all the six standards, which accounts for the greater number of failures. T'ai-p'ing Shán Chapel School was attended by 42 scholars. The monthly average was 37, and the daily attendance varied from 31 to 85. At this school 28 were presented for examination under the first five standards. There were 14 failures. The sum gained by the two schools amounted to $110.50. A very much higher pro- portion of passes could have been obtained at these two schools, if the scholars had been ranged, as it was perfectly competent for the manager to do, under lower standards. Haring, however, full confidence in the teachers, he classified the scholars as has been stated, and the result showed that his confidence was not misplaced. The teachers are able, hard working men. They were fully aware of the extent to which the credit of the schools depended on their exertions, and they exerted themselves accordingly. The schools reflect great credit on masters and manager,

23. The Baxter Vernacular Girls' Schools under the Management of the Revd. A. B. HUTCHINSON, are three in number, but for the purposes of the Grant-in-aid scheme they are considered as one. This arrangement was necessary because the schools, taken singly, could not have reached the average attendance qualifying each of them for a grant; and, in order to meet, as far as possible, the difficulties attending female education here, and the reluctance of parents to send girls any but the shortest distance from home, the manager thought it advisable to have three schools in various parts of the city, to secure as large an attendance as possible. The three schools were, therefore, taken as three separate class-rooms, the scholars being classified as if belonging to one school; and as such they will be here spoken of. The total attendance for the year was 133. The average monthly enrolment was 72, and the daily attendance varied from 42 to 48. On the examination day 37 scholars were presented under the first three standards. Of these 28 passed and 9 failed. There were also 32 passes in plain needlework. The sum paid to the school amounted to $57.60. The school is solely for Chinese girls. The average age is 10, the extremes being 7 and 16. The school is well conducted, well superintended and well taught. The education given is solely in the Chinese language, a fact to which undue prominence cannot be given. Hitherto, the educating of Chinese girls in English has been one of the most disastrous experiments which the Colony has ever witnessed. 24. The Victoria Boys' School is under the Management of the Honourable P. RYRIR. The number enrolled in 1873 was 28; but, as the average daily attendance for the last six months, during which the school came under the provisions of the scheme, did not amount to the minimum of 20, the school was not examined. During the present year, the numbers have increased, and the school will no doubt be able to qualify itself for a grant. It was only opened in 1873, and being at present self-supporting, it has been innch hampered in many ways, the fees being insufficient to provide a large school-room in a central locality. It is attended principally by Portuguese, but it is open to all who choose to avail themselves of it. The education given is solely an English one; and, judging from the results of several inspections, the school is well taught and well conducted.

25. Adding the numbers taught at these six schools to the numbers taught in the Government schools, the total number of scholars subject to Government inspection in 1873 was 2280. This with an allowance of 1220 for the numbers attending all other schools, would bring the number of school children in the Colony up to 3500. This is very far short of the number who should be at school; but comparing the results with those of previous years, there is much cause for satisfaction. and great encouragement to perseverance.

26. One point alone now remains to be noticed. When the Grant-in-aid scheme was proposed, great difficulty was felt in applying it to Chinese schools, from the want of a graduated series of school books containing lessons on the model of those in use in the West. A committee was appointed by the Government to compile such a series, and two school books are nearly ready for publication. The remainder will in all probability be finished within the next twelve months. The use of these books will be entirely optional. As long as a school can impart the requisite amount of secular instruction it will be free to use any school books its manager may choose to select; but there can be little doubt that, if the undertaking is at all successful, the new series will ultimately find its way into all the Chinese schools in the Colony, with perhaps a very few exceptions. It will supply a want which is very much felt by all who have the conduct of native schools.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

FREDERICK STEWART,

Inspector of Schools.

The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,

Colonial Secretary,

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