1874 — Page 196

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9. It will be recollected that, two years ago, the best scholar at the Central School, who lai lso been a monitor, was appointed master of this school. His duties were to teach English in th forenoon, and Chinese in the afternoon. After the first six months, the numbers declined rapidly. At the end of the year they gradually increased again; but, by August last, the attendance had become almost nominal, and the master resigned in despair. Another monitor was appointed in his place, and the numbers slowly increased; but twelve months more must decide whether the experiment is to be continued or not. It may be that the locality was a bad one for the experiment. but it was the only one which was available at the time; and the result has been so unsatisfactory at, if it is necessary to revert to an ordinary Chinese teaclier, it will be some time before a similar Experiment is attempted elsewhere. This case shows pretty clearly that native masters trained fter our ideas of training are not yet wanted in China. Such a fact may be much to be regrettel, but such is the fact nevertheless.

10. The Village Schools which are partly supported by Government have not recently given rise to much difficulty. A few of the masters are still discontented with the way in which the illagers carry out their part of the agreement, but the majority are content to let things remain as hey are.. The attendance increases very slowly, but it does increase; and that is perhaps as much is can be expected of these schools. Some of them, as the one at Ap-li Chau, maintain a high place in the order of efficiency. Others, as the one at Pok-fú Lam, are in anything but a satisfactory con- dition.

11. The Central School more than maintained its place in point of numbers, in spite of the many difficulties which had to be encountered during the year from the resignation of two and the serious illness of one of the masters. These difficulties have been satisfactorily overcome. The staff of teachers is complete, and the result of the examinations showed that it is also efficient. ·

12. The hopes entertained last year of the early coinmencement of a new building were entirely frustrated by the typhoon of September. No complaint can, therefore, be made of the delay: bui, lest a tacit submission to unforeseen circumstances might imply that the necessity had passed away, a consideration of the condition of the present premises will not be out of place.

13. The existing accommodation is limited to bare sitting room.

Each class-room contains on

an average 100 boys, which is as many as can be seated in it. There is thus no means of efficiently working the school. Three or more inasters have to teach simultaneously in the same class-room; whereas, with adequate accommodation, classes could be drafted off into side rooms, which would enable the masters to teach in greater quietness, and therefore with greater efficiency.

14. The present building has no unity of design. At first, four rooms of what was originally a dwelling house were converted into two class-rooins by the removal of the folding doors. Next, a class room was built entirely separate from the main building, and without reference to future neces sities. Then, another class-rooin was built on exactly the same plan. Finally, a third class-room was built between the former ones, but at their expense, us regards ventilation. There remains no more space for the building of the additional rooms which are required; and, possibly, it is very fortunate that such is the case.

15. In spite of much that has been summer from want of proper ventilation. such as they require is an impossibility.

done, three of the class-rooms are almost unbearable in They are so shut in by adjoining buildings that ventilation

16. To put an additional story on the three lower class-rooms is equally impossible, so insecure are the foundations. The north and west walls have sensibly subsided, and the partition wall between two of the rooms is visibly off the plumb. At the same time, it ought to be clearly stated that there no immediate danger of an accident; but the effects of the earthquake and typhoon of last year, of the former especially, quite shook all confidence in the permanent stability of the building. An equal strain could not be frequently repeated.

17. Outside the class-room doors and inside the school gates, there is barely standing room for the boys. Two of the upper class-rooms have to be left open during the morning and mid-day intervals for shelter from sun and rain. This prevents these two rooms from ever having the tidy appearance which class-rooms ought to have.

18. Without further detail, it may thus be taken as proved that the present building is inadequare as regards size, insecure as regards its foundations, and unhealthy as regards ventilation. That being ∞, further discussion of the question is unnecessary.

19. The Morrison Scholarship, which was referred to last year as being involved in much diffi- culty, may now be considered as settled. Details have yet to be arranged, but no question of principle When the scheme for its administration remains, and the school has already enjoyed the benefit of it.

is

complete a detailed account of it will be given.

20. The Grant-in-aid schools increased from six to nine, and the number of scholars thereby rose from 442 to 632. One new school was added, and the three Baxter schools, previously classed as one, were in a position to be taken separately. The scheme continues to give satisfaction, and no practical difficulties have arisen in the working of it. The Managers who had grants during the first year of its operation speak favourably of the good which has accrued from it to their schools.