Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 605

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The average attendance during 1904 was 85, as compared with 74 during 1903, and the fees collected $1,219.50, against $308. No inore rapid increase in numbers can be hoped for, while the school is lodged in its present temporary and unsuitable quarters. On this subject the master, Mr. CURWEN, writes:-

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"The present buildings are altogether unsuitable for a school. At times the rooms have been unbearable, on account of the intense heat and the foul smells "which have penetrated from the Chinese cook-shop in the basement. During "the early part of the year much annoyance was caused by a boiler-maker's shop, "which commenced operations opposite. This was removed after a time."

Wantsai School.-The average attendance was 115 in 1904; 96 in 1903. The fees collected were $1,591.50, as against $612. The last column of Appendix 4. shews that the cost to Government of each scholar is only $19. There are no other schools of the same class in the neighbourhood: were the staff increased so that 150 scholars or more could be conveniently taught, there would, I believe, be no difficulty in finding the numbers. As things are, the lower Standards are apt to be overcrowded. The new Lower Grade District School, which was opened at Tang-lung-chau early this year, will perhaps relieve this overcrowding to some extent. The Headmaster, MT. YOUNG HEE, points out that the desks and forms are in a very dilapidated condition, rendered so by long years of use.

Uen Long District School. The circumstances of this school are interesting, first, because it is the first opened in the New Territory with the support of the Government; and, secondly, because it is the first Lower Grade Anglo-Chinese School opened under Government; since the report of the Committee on Education. This second point is considered under the heading "New Schools" below.

Appendix 4. shews that the cost of each scholar to Government has been high for a school of this nature, $58; and had it been opened at the beginning of the year instead of on the 1st April as it actually was, it would have been still higher. The total cost, however, was not great, being under $1,000. Situated as it is in a not easily accessible part of the New Territory, it was thought necessary to pay the master the comparatively high salary of $100 a month. Nor was it thought desirable to charge fees during the first months of it existence. A monthly fee of 50 cents is being charged from the beginning of 1905.

Aberdeen, Tang-lung-chau and Sheko Vernacular Schools. The first two were closed at the end of the year, to be superseded by the new Lower Grade Anglo-Chinese Schools at those places. If these prove successful, a similar change may be advantageous at Sheko, where a small Vernacular School of no great educational value has been provided by Government for many years.

NEW SCHOOLS.

Victoria British School.-In the Spring of the year, it was inade known that if the European community considered the time were ripe to open a British School on the Hongkong sile, corresponding to the Kowloon School, it would be well to petition the Government, and shew the existence of a general feeling in that direction. The formation of such a school had been recommended by the Com- mittee on Education. No steps were taken at that time by the parents concernel; and I therefore asked for no increase in the Estimates under this heading.

I was therefore pleasantly surprised, when towards the end of August a petition was sent in, pointing out the urgent need of such a school. His Excel- Jency the Governor approved the scheme. Sanction froin home was obtained. The existing school on Caroline Hill was evicted. Furniture was ordered, and a staff engaged. On completion of the structural improvements, the school will be opened on March 20th, within seven months of the receipt of the petition.

It has been laid down that girls over twelve years of age shall not be admitted ; and that similarly at the Kowloon School boys shall not be retained nor admittel after that age.

The School curriculum cannot be decided on until the number and ages of the scholars are known.