Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 273

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4. In spite of the numerous cases of Malarial Fever in the Colony, I am happy to be able to report, that the health of the scholars, in the past year, was quite up to the average, which is a matter for congratulation as our boys come from every part of the town froin East to West Point.

5. In April last two of our old scholars Messrs. CHAN CHING-KAI and LI TSUN-FAN were brought to the Colony by Dr. MEYERS, Superintendent of the "David Manson" Memorial Hospital, Takow in the island of Formosa; under whose instruction, they had been studying for two years, for the pro- fession of European medicine. They underwent a preliminary examination in Materia Medica, Anatomy, Surgery, &c., by a Board composed of Representative Medical Practitioners in the Colony; and received very satisfactory certificates which inscribed on vellum were publicly presented by His Excellency in the Hall of this School.

6. Our Senior Pupil Teacher, Mr. Lo KIT, was a candidate for the Government Scholarship; which was not awarded this year as neither candidate obtained the necessary number of marks. I take, however, this opportunity of recording my sense of the great benefits Lo KIT has derived from the course of study; as, too often, the acquirement of the scholarship and the residence in England are the only results that competitors appreciate; whereas, it is not too much to say, that by far the greatest benefits, derived from the establishment of the Scholarship, will always be enjoyed by the unsuccessful candidates, for their number, if this valuable Scholarship were properly contested, must naturally exceed the few distinguished successful Scholars.

7. At the suggestion of Mr. BATEMAN, Head Master of the Hongkong Public School, Hongkong has been made a centre of the Cambridge Local Examination. The first examination was held in December, and though the results cannot be here before May, and I have no reason to be sanguine of their nature, I can already see the benefit of the extra study on our six candidates; five of whom entered for the Junior, and the other for the Senior Examination. It is also worthy of note, as a sign of the interest taken by Chinese parents in their sons' education, that, in no case, was any demur made about paying the seven dollars Entrance Fee.

8. This year, I have instituted a Boys' Self-Supporting Lending Library. Money was advanced to procure books from England. A varied selection of Books for Boys, Novels, Works of History Travel and Biography was made; a committee of the six senior boys was formed to control the Library, which was opened about the middle of October. The subscription was put at ten cents a month, and we have had an average of no less than 74 boys, mostly Chinese, subscribers monthly. We may expect great results in English Composition and in the acquirement of Colloquial English, when our boys find pleasure, in reading English Standard Authors, and in making acquaintance with the customs and conversation of every day English life, as represented in our leading novels.

9. Six pupil teachers have been articled for a period of three years, with security of one hun- dred dollars each, to provide the six additional Chinese Assistants that will be required in the New School.

10. It was with considerable joy that all masters, boys, and friends of the School read His Excellency's statement at the opening of the Session of the Legislative Council, that the New School would be opened early in 1888. Two-thirds of the walls are already raised, and it is most earnestly to be desired, that no stone should be left unturned to admit of the new building being occupied after Chinese New Year, at the end of February, or early in March, next year. By this means the change would take place at the time of our annual promotions, and a better chance would be afforded for obtaining a full school; besides, the important consideration, of a complete year's study in the new subjects, would be secured.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

To The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,

Acting Colonial Secretary,

Fres

&C.

&c.

GEO. H. BATESON WRIGHT, M.A.,

Head Master.