159
10. Towards the end of the year, I submitted three suggestions, which, on the recommendation of the Governing Body, received His Excellency's approval. The object aimed at in all of them was the same, viz., the increase of English-teaching power throughout the College, as follows:-ja the Preparatory School, by abolishing Monitors and appointing an extra Chinese Assistant;-in the Lower School, by relieving English Masters of Mathematical lessons in the Upper School; a com petent Native Mathematical Master to be appointed, thus leaving the English Masters at liberty to give lessons in English Reading, etc. to classes in the Lower School;-in the College generally, by increasing the English Staff by two Masters. The scheme is to divide the Assistant Masters into X ( Grades, Senior and Junior, four in each, thus providing eight instead of six English Masters, at a January, slight additional cost to Government, the services of two Chinese Assistants being, of course, dispense February, with. Mr. JAMESON's resignation affords opportunity for the appointment of one of these additional March,.
April, masters, the full realisation of the project having to await a further vacancy in the Senior Grade.
May, 11. Mr. JAMESOs, absent on leave, resolved not to return to the Colony as he has found the ime, climate prejudicial to his health; he accordingly resigned from the 30th September. During his July, years' service, he proved himself a capable and energetic master, all the classes under his charge pass ing with very high percentages at the Annual Examinations. The College experienced another serious loss, in the untimely death, Inst August, of Mr. Cut Tsux-ching, Third Chinese Assistant, for maay years most successfully in charge of the Fourth Class. Mr. Cho was head boy of the Second Class, at the first Annual Examination conducted by me on my arrival in January 1882, and with one excep tion was the oldest of the Chinese Assistants, who began their professional career under my mauage ment. Being of a happy, cheerful disposition, he was a general favourite with the whole Staff, English and Chinese. Mr. BARCLAY, who acted for Mr. JAMESON, left in July on obtaining an appointment as Head Master of an English School at Nanking. We were fortunate in securing the services d Mr. HANKEY, in October, to supply the vacancy. Mr. Wooncock returned from leave in the middled October. In September Mr. JONES, who returned from leave in January, was temporarily transferred to the Supreme Court, as we then were daily expecting Mr. JAMESON's return.
12. The rapid promotions amongst the Chinese Staff call for some remark. Mr. LUK SIK-KWONG, who was Second Pupil Teacher last January, is now Acting Sixth Chinese Assistaut, which represents a rise of seven steps in twelve months. No fewer than 17 different men were Acting Monitors Pupil Teachers. Considerable strain has therefore been put on all the Jamor Chinese Assistants and Pupil Teachers, which was further intensified by the backwardness of their l'upils (para. 7). It affords me much pleasure to be able to speak very highly of the steady courage which they exhibited in cop- ing with these difficulties.
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13. Four boys, none of whom was in Chinese dress, obtained Oxford Local Certificates, two Senior and two Junior. As this represents only 18% instead of our usual 50%, the result is very disappointing. The depletion of the Upper School, referred to in my last Report, is the chief cause as may be gathered from the fact that only seven boys remained in December to represent 1.A. and L.B. classes together.
14. The Hongkong Branch of the Navy League awarded two prizes of $20 each to C. B. Hayward and R. PESTONJEE, respectively, for successful Essays on the subjects The Command of the Sea" and "The Use of the British Navy." The Chairman at the Annual Meeting paid a well-deserved compli ment to Mr. MACHELL on the instruction given by him to the boys in six lectures. I cannot do bette than seize this opportunity for recording my appreciation of the improvement in the general work d 1.C. in the past year.
15. On my return from Japan, in September, I noticed that the entire interior of the building had been coloured and painted. For this we are indebted to the activity of the Acting Director d Public Works (Hon. W. CHATHAM), as previously it had been considered impossible to perform th feat within the limits of the vacation-four weeks. Keeping the interior of a school bright and fresh is not a luxury; it conduces largely to the cheerfulness and health of scholars and masters.
I would suggest therefore that, if practicable, the interior should be at least colour-washed, once in four or five. years. It is nearly twice that period of time since the original painting of this buikling.
16. I regret to have to report, that there is no abatement in the immoral notoriety of the imm diate neighbourhood of this College, mentioned in my Aunual Report two years ago. It would appeat that existing legislation is too cumbrous a machine to set in motion, for the removal of a well know and generally admitted nuisance from a district in the vicinity of several public buildings, a hospital, a Chapel, a large boys' school and the Belilios Public School for Girls.
Attached are the usual Tables.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
GEO. H. BATESON WRIGHT, D.D., Oxon.,
Head Master.
Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
August,
1897.
QUEEN'S COLLEGE.
Month.
Number of Scholars.
Number of Attendances.
Number of
Average Daily
Remarks,
School Days.
Attendance.
531
751
8,348 4,334
17
491
6
722
857
21,101
27
782
915
10,973
13
844
950
21,852
25
874
942
19,813
22
878
909
20,216
879
877
5,946
7
849
961
14,369
16
898
953
22,237
25
920
22,023
26
866
18,980
889 847 825
189,692
230
September, elober,
November, December,
Total,
Total Number of ATTENDANCES during 1897,
Number of SCHOOL DAYS during 1897,
Average DAILY ATTENDANCE during 1897,
Total Number of SCHOLARS at this School during 1897,
FOKEKARE382
.189,692
230
823
1,212
AVERAGE EXPENSE OF EACH SCHOLAR AT QUEEN'S COLLEGE DURING 1897.
Expenditure,-
Cash Book,
Do., Exchange Compensation, Crown Agents,
Deduct,-
Do
School Fees,
Sale of Books,
Adjustment of Exchange,
Total Expense of the College,.
$28,083.55
4,593.95
4,090.54
2,575.56
$39,343.60
$18,460,00
260.08
$13,720.08
.$25,628.52
Average Expense of each Scholar---
Per Number on Roll,
Per Average Daily Attendance,.............
.$21.14
....... 31.06
GEO. II. BATESON WRIGHT, D.D., Oxou.,
Head Master.
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