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to express our appreciation of the prompt and vigorous measures taken to control a possible in vasion of the plague. As the colony in general seems to be unaware of what precautions have been adopted, we would suggest that they be communicated to the local press, as also any fur ther steps that may from time to time be taken, so that the community may be assured that every- thing possible is being done to avert danger of a recurrence of the disease.
C. P. CHATER.
VICTORIA ENGLISH SCHOOLS.
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.
On Friday afternoon, at the City Hall, His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Robin- son, K.C.M.G., distributed the prizes to the scholars of the Victoria English Schools. Be fore the distribution the children gave an en- tertainment, including a performance of "Little Red Riding Hood." This is a favourite piece with children, and the although story was neces sarily abridged the representation afforded plenty of amusement to the crowded audience.
The Headmaster (Mr. W. D. Braidwood) read the following report:-Your Excellency, ladies, and gentlemen, the year 1894 was in many re- spects an exceptional one and from an educational point of view disastrous. The plague began in May, and in that and the succeeding three months it redused our attendance, especially in `the girls' school, by almost 50 per cent. The school, however, was never closed, and the work with the diminished numbers went on as usual. About the same time we had a change in the staff, two of the teachers leav. ing and their places being supplied by two from England. It will therefore be no matter for surprise that our examination results are considerably below our usual high standard. The pass over all was almost 90 per cent., which, in face of the adverse circumstances and re- collecting that it was our first experience under the new Educational code, must be considered a fair percentage. A glance at the Examination schedule shows that the weakness was in the lower standards, just where the attendance was most irregular. Standards VI. and VII. in the boys', and IV, V., VI, and VII. in the girls' school, especially distinguished themselves. From year to year I notice that children of more tender years are being sent to school, so that it is not unusual for us to have children of five or six years in the lowest classes, and this leads me to call attention to the fact that the Educational code of this colony makes no provision whatever for infant teaching. Towards the close of 1894 this school sustained a severe loss in the death of the Right Rev. Bishop Raimondi, who had for years apted as manager. On his death the school Was placed under a committee consisting Hon. E. R. Belilios, C.M.G. D. Gillies, Esq.; Dr. J. Cantlie; A. G. Ro- mano, Esq. D. Haskell, Esq.; Rev. G. J. Williams; G. J. Phillippo, Esq.; and under the new regime the school has continued to flourish. At present the number on the register is 185-125 boys and 60 girls-while the staff consists of five certificated teachers, exclusive of a visiting teacher for French. The physical training of the pupils receives much attention. Recently I have had a trapeze, horizontal bar, and parallel bars fitted up in the playground, and these the boys have greatly appreciated.
The boys of the senior department bave ex- pressed a strong desire for a circulating library, and I have provided accommodation for about 200 volumes. It is a matter of no small impor tance that a youth should have some one to guide him in his choice of books when so much pernicious literature is likely to find its way into his hands. I shall be pleased if our friends who
THE HONGKÒNG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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PRIZE LIST. Boys! Standard I.-Arnold, reading, J. Guedes, writing and arithmetic.
Standard II.-J. Botelho, writing and arith metic, J. Heard, reading, F. Kasten, reading and arithmetic,
[May 15, 1895,
WRECK OF THE “PEKIN.
THE VESSEL LOOTED. Early on the morning of the 3rd inst. steamer Pekin, owned by Messrs. Malcampo Co., of Amoy, was lost on her voyage from Foo chow to Amoy. She went on the rooks at Banti Point, near Port Matheson, at 4.30 in the morn. Standard III.-M. Jacob, reading, B. von ing, and the engines were at once reversed by the Stockhausen, writing, Young Sik Yim, arith-chief engineer with the object of beaching her. metic.
The attempt failed, however, and Captain Parker Standard IV.-8. Michael, reading, A. Re-ordered the boats to be lowered. The captain medios, writing and arithmetic, E. Haskell, the first mate, the chief engineer, and all the reading.
orow, about 24 altogether, entered the boats and Standard V.-H. Jacobji, arithmetic, gee-landed at Chong Bu. The steamer was not graphy, and physical geography, J. Jordan, Eng. abandoned, though, until she began to all and lish composition, A. Madar, spelling and meaning, list over to port, and her helpless condition swag M. E. Aager, reading, H. Jacobji, Euclid and taken advantage of by over a hundred Chinese algebra, E. Abdoolcader, grammar.
fishermen, who swarmed on board, and, after
engineer with... ki Standard VI.-W. Baker, reading, A. Cader, hatchet, looted the vessel. The crew andegy.
threatening the chief arithmetic, A. Souza, grammar and Euclid, Toured their utmost to keep them at bay. L. Stevens, English composition and history, and the captain fired over the heads.of. R. Basa, spelling and meaning and mapping, the Chinamen, but they were powerless to pre- A. Humphreys, geography.
Standard VII.-Ernest Haskell, reading, history, and Euclid (Oxford Junior certificate), A. von Stockhausen, English composition and geography, P. Botelho, arithmetic and algebra, R. E. Belilios, grammar and mapping, Ernest Haskell, science, H. Schmidt, algebra, A. E. Asger, history.
Extra Prizes—A. voo Stockhausen, senior Latin, Edward Haskell, junior Latin, John Jordan, junior Latin.
Girls.
Standard VII.-Laura Botelho, composition, Anna Sonza, needlework and arithmetic, Laura Souza, needlework and general knowledge, Au gusta Souza, geography and history.
Standard VI.-Lily Kasten, composition and history, Margaret Klinek, arithmetic and gram- mar, Leonora Ivanovich, writing and músic.
Standard V.-Gerty Rustonjee, grammar, Maria Xavier, arithmetic, Bella Henderson, composition, geography, and physical geography.
Standard IV. Eva Humphreys, needlework, Mabel Humphreys arithmetic, Mary Rodger, grammar, Annie Baker, diotation,
Standard III.-Mary Palmer, dictation, writ. ing, and arithmetic, Moselle Marcus, reading, Hennie Schmidt, grammar.
Standard II-Helena Yvanovich, arithmetic, Lily Tregillus, reading and dictation.
Standard I.-Lottie Phelps, Emily Heard. Infant Class.-Theresa Heard.
vent their encroachments, and the vessel had to be left to her fate. After reaching Chong Bu the matter was reported to a mandarin, and a jank was engaged for the purpose of taking the whole of the crew to Amoy, which was sixty miles away. Before leaving, however, the chief engineer, who was accompanied part of the way by the captain and the first mate, went to the scene of the accident to see if there was any salvage, but with the exception of some floating wreckage there was no trace of the vessel. The engineer returned to Chong Ba, and the whole party journeyed to Amoy in a junk. They then went on board the Kuong Mo and reached Hongkong yesterday. There was no cargo in the vessel, no passengers, and, happily, no lives were lost. It is said that the vessel was insured.
ARRIVAL OF THE NEW VICEROY OF CANTON.
The new Viceroy of Canton arrived here on Saturday morning by the steamer Mingyi and called officially on H. E. the Governor, receiving the usual salate on landing. He proceeded to Cantou by the same steamer on Sunday morning.
The new Viceroy, H.E. Tan Chung-lin and" his suite arrived at Canton by the steamer Ming-yi on Sunday afternoon. Five of the Can- ton gunboat squadron were lying off Shameen dressed with flugs, also a number of launches After distributing the prizes His Excellency and houseboats, awaiting His Excellency said he had, in the first place, to thank, on be- arrival, and a body of soldiers were drawn up half of the children and teachers, those friends along the Shameen bund, the usual salutes being. who were present. He also thanked the child.fred. The Viceroy having transhipped to a gun ren for the excellent entertainment which they boat the whole contège left for the Government had given. Speaking with reference to the wharf at Matow, where the landing took place; report he said that, although the year had been all the high officials being in attendance to a disastrous one, the results were very good, 95 / receive His Excellency, who proceeded to th per cent, of the girls having passed, whereas the Examination Hall, where he is for the present boys, as usual, were behind, only 83 per cent. residing. He took over the seals on Tuesday. having passed. The boys had expressed a strong desire for a circulating library, and this desire was worthy of every support. The boys ought to be encouraged in every possible way, and he would be very glad to do all he could to assist in forming the library, and would give pecuniary assistance. Addressing the children he said there were several qualities which were necessary in this life, and he hoped they would cultivate honesty, self-control, and truthfulness. He also trusted they would culti vate a power of concentration of their thoughts and effective perseverance in attaining any good object. He had the greatest possible pleasure in distributing the prizes, and hoped that 1896 more successful not only for the would be school, but for the colony.
Dr. Cantlie, as one of the Committee, said he
THE PROPOSED PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Secretary of the Public Library Com- mittee has sent us the following :—
In July last some 800 volumes, the nucleus of a library, were placed at the Committee's disposal to deal with as seemed to them best. These books consisted of works of referenc, travels, biography, and fiction. The want of a public library in the colony had been strongly impressed upon the Committee, and that there was a real desire on the part of a large section of the com- munity, especially of those who have not access be remembered also that there is a large floating to any library, for such an institution. It must population in coasting and other vessels who would gladly avail themselves of facilities for
are interested in the school and its work will had very much pleasure in proposing a hearty | obtaining books, and the need of a reference
take up this matter and contribute books--- they need not be new-of a character suitable for the entertainment and instruction of our coming young men.
Our thanks are due to Hon. E. R. Belilios, C.M.G., C. J. Holliday, Esq; N. A. Siebs, Esq; T. Jackson, Erq; A. G. Romano. Eq, D. Gillies, Esq; M. 8. 8. Sassoon, Esq.; D. Warres Smith. Esq; J. McCallum, Esq.; D. Haskell, Esq.; J. M. Basa, Esq., for assisting to provide the prises, and to the Committee of the V.R.C. for the use of the stage.
vote of thanks to his Excellency for presiding.
The children returned thanks with three ring ing cheers for his Excellency.
According to a Tientsin telegram of the 6th inst. to the N. C. Daily News, the Viceroy Li Hung-cbang was not going to Chefoo to exchange ratifications of the Treaty, but was sending in- stead the expectant Taotai Wu Ting-fang (Ng Choy) and a Manchu named Lan to meet the Japanese Envoy at that port,
is the present library accommodation in Hong- library has long been recognised. And what
kong?" The clubs have libraries, but the use of these is coufined of course to their members. The City Hall Library contains upward of 5,000 - volumes, but as it has practically no work of later date than 1865, and as its trustees have no funds to spend on books, it has necessarily become somewhat antiquated. Only certain works can circulate, and these under conditions almost pro- hibitive. The proposed Public Library is not in any way antagonistic to the City Ball Library; it will
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