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elementary schools, and this school should be left to the boys who distinguish themselves in the other schools and a higher class of education should be given them. I find the examiners have reported that out of 329 boys that they have examined 185 passed and 144 failed; in other words, 56 per cent. passed and 44 per cent. failed. Now I have no desire to compare that result with the Government grant-in-aid examination too strictly, because neither the masters nor pupils had any notice of the independent examination about to be held, but nevertheless it is my duty to note the fact that in the reports recently put before me of the examinations of all the other schools in the Colony receiving grants-in-aid, I find a different result. For instance, in the Diocesan Home School I find that in reading 92 per cent. passed; in writing, 85; in arithmetic, 96; in grammar, in geography and history 100 per cent. in each. I find that in the Chinese department of St. Joseph's College, in reading 100 per cent. passed, in writing, 100; in arithmetic, 90; grammar, geography, and history, 100 per cent. in each. I find in the Portuguese school of St. Joseph's College, 98, 93, 87 per cent., and so on. In St. Paul's College, Hongkong Public School, I find in reading 100 per cent. passed, in writing 100, and in arithmetic 100. In other words, to the credit of that school, which Bishop Burdon, as you know, opened last year, every boy passed an independent examination, not by the teachers, but by the Government examiner. In the Victoria School, conducted by Mr. Hanlon, I find also that in six subjects in the girls' school all passed, 100 per cent. in each subject, and in five out of the six subjects in the boys' school all passed. Therefore the question will have to be considered how it comes to pass that a board of examiners should now find that fifty-six per cent. have passed and forty-four per cent. have failed in the Central School. I have already, I think, given you some reason for these failures. The main reason I believe to be that the examination that was held was an unexpected one. Neither masters nor boys were prepared for it, but nevertheless it has its value and I have especially learnt from the report of the examiners the fact that in the teaching of English we must still endeavour to improve the character and capacity of this school, for, as Dr. Chalmers says in the report, which the other examiners endorsed, scarcely any of the Chinese boys produced in translation into English a single grammatical sentence. It is much better for me, having the responsibility of laying out this $14,000 per annum upon the school, and it is much better for the tax-payers in this Colony who contribute that sum, that the truth should be made known, and it is far better for the boys themselves that their position now, as well as the higher position which I have no doubt they will take in future, should be acknowledged. I have very little doubt that when this report and all the other papers come before my hon. friend on my right (Mr. Ryrie) and the other members of the commission who are now investigating the question of elevating this school into one of an academical character, my hon. friends on this commission will see their way to bring about a result which will not only elevate the school and its masters into the proper position they should hold but into one which will be of lasting benefit to the colony. And even if the decision which the Government may ultimately give upon the report of the Commissioners should have the effect of putting an end to the teaching of young Chinese in this colony in those subjects requisite for the Foochow Arsenal, no matter what the Chinese Government may lose by that, I believe the colony will gain, and looking to the natural intelligence of the boys I see in this school, and with entire confidence in the ability and zeal of the masters-whatever the recommendation of the Commission may be I believe it will tend to the advantage of the colony. Applause.
His EXCELLENCY then said he had to give to William Wilson a book as a prize for correcting a proof sheet. The prize was presented by his friend Dr. Crawford, and he thought it a very happy idea to give a prize for such a subject. He had only further to state that the school broke up now to re-assemble on the 1st March.
After the Governor had left the boys gave three cheers for the holidays.
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elementary schools, and this school should be left to the boys who distinguish themselves in the other schools and a higher class of educa- tion should be given thom. I find the exami. ners have reported that out of 329 boys that they have examined 185 passed and 144 failed; in other words, 56 per cent, passed and 44 per cent. failed. Now I have no desire to com- pare that result with the Government grant-in- aid examination too strictly, bocause neither the masters nor pupils had ang notice of the in- dependent examination about to be held, but nevertheless it is my duty to note the fact) that in the reports recently put before me of the examinations of all the other schools in the Colony receiving grants-in-aid, I find a different result. For instance, in the Diocesan Home School I find that in reading 92 per cent. passed; in writing, 85; in arithmetic, 96; in grammar, in geography and history 100 per cent, in each. I find that in the Chinese de- partment of St. Joseph's College, in reading 100 por cent. passed, in writing, 100; in arithmetic, 90; grammar, geography, and history, 100 per cont. in each. I find in the Portuguese school of St. Joseph's College, 98, 93, 87 per cent., and So DUI, In St. Paul's College, Hongkong Public School, I find in reading 100 per cent, passed, in writing 100, and in arithmetic 100. In other words, to the credit of that school, which Bishop Burdon, as you know, opened last year, every boy passed an independent examination, not by the teachers, but by the Government examiner. In the Victoria School. conducted by Mr. Hanlon. I 5nd also that in six subjects in the girls school all passeri, 100 per cent. in each subject, and in five out of the six subjects in the boys' school all passed. There- fore the question will have to be considered how it sans to pass that a board of examiners should now find that fifty-six per cent. have passed and forty-four per cent. have failed in the Coutral School. I have already, I think, given you some reason for these failures. The main reason I beliare to be that the examination that was bold was an unexpected one. Neither masters nor boys wore prepared for it, bat never- theless it has its value and I have especially learnt from the report of the examiners the fact that in the teaching of English we must still i endeavour to improve the character and capacity of this school, for, as Dr. Chalmers says in the report, which the other examiners endorsed, scarcely any of the Chinese boys produced in translation into English a single gram- natical sentence. It is much bettor for me, having the responsibility of laying out this $14,000 per annum upon the school, and it is much better for the tax-payers in this Colony who contribute that sum, that the truth should be made knowo, and it is far better for the boys themselves that their position now, as well as the higher position which I have no doubt they willtake in future, should be acknowledged. I have very little doubt that when this report and all the other papers come before my bon, friend on my right (Mr. Ryrie) and the other members of the commission who are now investigating the question of elevating this school into one of an academical character, my hon, friends on thist commission will see their way to bring about a j result which will not only elevate the school and its masters into the proper position they should hold but into one which will be of lasting benefit to the colony. And even if the decision which the Government may ultimately give upon the report of the Commissioners should have the effect of putting an end to the teaching of young Chinese in this colony in those subjects re- quisite for the Foochow Arsenal, no matter what! the Chinese Government may lose by that, I' believe the colony will gain, and looking to the natural intelligence of the boys I see In this school, and with entire confidence in the ability and zoal of the masters-whatever the recommendation of the Commission may be I believe it will tend to the advantage of the colony. Applange-).
His EXCELLENCY then said he had to give t William Wilson/a book as a prize for correcting a proof hest. The prize was presented by Lis friend Dr. Cwford, and he thought it a fery happy idea to give a prize for fuch a subject He had only father to state that the school/broke up no to re-assemble on the 1st March.
After the Governor haf left the boys gave three cheats for the holidays.
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