Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 612

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really was beginning to have an insight into the language. For the first year or so Readers are not used, but the girls write out the main points of simple subjects discussed in class, and so a great deal of useful information is almost uncon- sciously absorbed.

Geography. The newly introduced local maps have been studied: but they were not particularly well understood.

Arithmetic. This subject is also taught to a great extent as a conversation lesson: the real meaning of the processes of multiplication, division, &c., was un- derstood in a way which is far from common with beginners.

UPPER SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE PREPARATORY ENGLISH-SPEAKING CLASS.

The girls with few exceptions are not more than 14 or 15 years of age; and the work done in Class I corresponds roughly with that of Standard VI in other schools of the same class.

History.--Questions were put to Class I on Magna Carta, the Repeal of the Corn Laws and the Postal System, among others. The girls had evidently been taught the right things in the right way and their knowledge of the subject so far as it goes is valuable. While I think that the present Readers are a great improve- ment on the books formerly employed, it is necessary to point out that enough dates must be learned to give a definite shape to the scholars' conception of the sequence of events. Class III had an intelligent recollection of the stories related in their History Reader; they were able to give a vivid picture of Trafalgar; but were extremely vague as to whether the battle took place 10, 100, or 1,000 years

ago.

Geography-Map-drawing shews a considerable improvement as compared with last year, and the subject seems to have been well taught. The papers shew neatness as a rule, and were generally well expressed. Many girls forget to put the number of their class at the head of their papers. The working in both History and Geography is slow, owing partly to an unnecessary habit of making rough copies, as well as to the too frequent use of the ruler.

English.-Spelling and Composition are very satisfactory. Handwriting on the whole has improved, though it is still not all that could be desired.

Arithmetic.-Satisfactory in the result. But in many cases, it is impossible to follow the process by which the result is arrived at. All the work not done men- tally should be shewn, no fair copying should be necessary, and the use of slates should be absolutely prohibited.

Drill.—The Drill Instructor informs me that the drill done is as good as he has seen in any School at home or abroad.

(3).—Saiyingpun Anglo-Chinese School. Boys.

Staff.-W. H. WILLIAMS and 5 Chinese Masters.

Discipline and Organization.-This School has been very unfortunate in the loss of several of its Chinese masters during the year with the consequent changes, and in a sense it is unfortunate that nearly all the boys in the two highest Standards left to get work during the year, so that at the Annual Examination I was unable to test the work done by these Standards to much purpose. But the impression left in my mind is that seven Standards are more than can be conveniently man- aged by the existing Staff, and that it would be better if time now given to Standard VII by the English master, were shared more equally with the lower Standards. The discipline is very well maintained.

Sanitation.---The condition of the School has been immensely improved by the construction of a play-ground and by the new offices. At my last visit I noticed that the boys' desks were not kept as clean as they should be.

Floor space.-Sufficient for 234 scholars.

Apparatus. Satisfactory.