CO129-254 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [1-4] — Page 338

dians as to the best class

to

hand out in future and d

nor think dear and many thing offun to it ས བ

Mi Bramston

I would appeare

14.4-92.

the allowances proposed

In last fan of the despatch, d'as regards the future suggest that slightly

men should be selected Who should

are

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& They

alread app. probation for 3zea

pug

bron probation of learn Chinese for (say) yuzan

two years,

during

their

at kast half humpost

boothing haus. Embody

the

M: Porley's minute to for as recessary

CPL

14 April

abri

amity.

Rar

334

I think it will be found that the masters recommended

for Hong Kong in 1889 were from 22 to 25 years of age. A cer-

tificated teacher usually completes his two years course of train-

ing and passes his final examination at the age of 21 or 22. He

must have passed the age of 20.

It being considered essential to obtain men who will

devote themselves to the study of the Chinese language, and pos-

sess the requisite inclination and ability, I quite think that,

as regards their selection, changes in the direction indicated

in the minute of the 29th Man 1892 are desirable.

A certificated teacher who obtains his full qualifica-

tion at the age of 22, and then settles down to the work of an

ordinary Elementary school, will probably become less and less

inclined as time passes to take up the study of a new and dif-

ficult language.

I agree therefore that it would be advisable

to choose younger candidates, say between 22 and 24 years of age

and if they could be freed from school work for half their time

during the first year or two after appointment, in order to

study Chinese, so much the better. I would not call them "Pupil

teachers" as that term is applied in this country to denote a

different