442
ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.
His Honour the Chief Justice presided at the prize distribution at St. Joseph's College on D. cember 22nd. He was supported on the right by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Pozzoni,
while on bis left was Bro. Sylvester, director of the College. Mr. E. A. Irvine, inspector of *chools, was also present, likewise Mr. A. G Romano, Consul for Portugal, many priests and brothers, and a large concourse of parents and friends of the pupils.
Proceedings opefied with a pleasant little musical programme, in which, besides songs and recitations, there were displays of sword exercise and rifle drill. Needless to say the performers sequitted themselves well, and were Warmly applauded by those present.
The REV. BROTHER SYLVESTER, in his annual report, said :—In reviewing the work of the school for the year 1906 we have reason to be satisfied with the results obtained. We have made a complete change in the three lowest standards. At present the Chinese and the non-Chin se are entirely separated in the first, second and third standards. This was done in view of the transfer of the Cathedral School to 8t. Joseph's College, and also of giving more care to the Chinese and non-Chinese espec- tively. This arrangement promises to give good results. The attendance is much better than it was in previous years, nevertheless there is much room for improv ment still, My last year's remarks respecting the nonsensi- cal birthday absences hore good fruit in many osses; I must, however, say that some boys were again absent on that chimerical account. The following figures will speak of the regu larity of the boys of the College. We had 217! school days in the year. 23 loys put ap the fall number. The average attendance of 100 of the most regular boys was 2149 days. The conduct of the boys is very good at present All undesirables are scrupulously discarded. The special subjects taught in the school are doing very well. Between twenty and thirty boys follow a regular and systemic typewriting training. Thanks to the generosity of His Lordship the Bishop and the Rev. Bro, Gabriel, a visitor, we have been able to procure our additional typewriters during the year. Our shorthand class. is doing admirably well. We presented twelve boys for Sir Isaac Pitman's third class certificate, and I am glad to be able to say all succeeded in satisfying the Examiners. Later, five wore presented for the third class and nine for the second class certifio 18. these the five presented for the third and seven out of the nine prevented for the second obtained certificates. An attempt was made to get up an interesting and instructive library for the higher standards, and at present we have a pretty collection of good and instructive reading for the boys. We shall be thackful to all wlio may contribute to its enlargement. The results of the Oxford examinations were most sati<factory.
Of
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
corrected all the weak points, as may be inferred } from this year's report. In conclusion, he thanked the Catholic Union for offering a
scholarship of 825 to the best behaved boy in the Orphanage for last year. He also thanked Messrs. A, G. Romano, Conenl-General for Portugal, J. Machado, W. Danby, G. de Champeaux, C. E. Warren, J. J. Leiris, Ho Tung, Gonzalez, Consul for Chili, Brewer & Co, Shing Kee, and Mrs. T. V. Ribeiro for contributions to the priz› fund.
SIR FRANCIS PIGGOTT was then called on to distribute the prizes. Before doing so he said: My Lord Bishop, Reverend Brothers, Ladies and Gentlemen. At a time when the Old Country is rent with discussions on the subject of education, and when it seems that the dispute would upset the very constitution, when you would imagine from the language used by both sides on the discussion That England was hitherto one of the most uneducated countries and ber people the most i'literate, it is comfort ing to turn to this 'olony to see the peaceful methods for the great cause of education as pursued here. It is pursued, I think, on very old fashioned lines; for both divisions of the great religion, parens it according to their own views and toasts, but by a lopting common standards of reference and common tastes they put education first and the instilling of their religious views second. I am not here discussing religious views at all, bat merely to take this opportunity of thanking this branch of the Christian Religion for the share they ars taking in the cause of education in this Colony. If the reports furnished to the Governor speak true, as I am sure they do, the teaching has fulfilled the required standard, and must be judged by results to be successful, and putting eren Mr. Irvine's accurate and impartial results on one side, and looking at a larger field of education than the one this Colony can furnish, I think I am justified in saying that after all,
old methods are the best. For if
we look
at results and place ourselves face to fac with ours-lves. I think whatever path of life we have followed or are following, wh-ther it be law making or law interpreting, whether in Government departments or in a merchant's office, whether in the cause of education itself. I think we are justified in saying that we are not failures. We are satisɓe i we have done our best; we are satisfied with the education given us and are worthy to fulfil the posts assigned to us now. More especially is that so with those reverend brothers who are undertaking the cause of education of youth. though it is the first time I have met yoq, brothers, in this Colony, I know you in your corporate capacity, and have met you before in the work carried oat by your branch in Maaritius. Friar Jo-cion, the brother director in Mauritiu", is as popular and highly esteemed as Brother Sylvester is in Hongkong (applaus9). I say, reverend brothers, the Colony owes you a debt of ratitude because you have undertaken so much; because you have effected so much and are eager to effect so much more; because, The one boy presented for the senior came out although your work is purely voluntary you in the honours list, four boys passed in the have a cepted with great good grass and in the junior division, and eleven in the preliminary best spirit possible the official oriticism that has We remarked that many of our boys secured been made upon you, setting therein the best the note "Good" which speak highly of the example to your scholars, and eager to get a sroellence of the work presented by them. better report next year. I think I shou'd say The Hygiene Competition was also a success something more than this: you are part only of for St. Joseph's College. Master John Esra
a great brotherhood a great brotherhood that came out first boy, and thus secured the $10 has devoted itself to the cause of teaching, and scholarship so graciously offered by H.. the whereever education is in need of help in Governor. The boys presented for the Shield the British Domi ions or in the world, Competition came out second notwithstanding ther you are ready to give your help voluntari- the low average age of the team, and the shortly. I think the world owes you a debt of time they had studied the subject. This year owing to special reasons, we did not present have to any competitors_for tue shield. thank many of the p rents for the vary great interest they take in the weekly report and the monthly examinations of their sons; these latter will certainly reap abundant fra te from this parental vigilance, Our boys cqulinne to take a keen interest in the inter-school sports, but they will always be handicapped so long as they are limited to such a scanty playground. Tey also take much interest in drill, which has been given regularly since the commencement of the scholastic year. Special attention was given to the remarks of the Inspector of Schools in last year's report, and we have reason to believe that we have
(December 29, 1908.
will be pleased to see that his criticism has borne good fruit as the report dea's specially with those subjects. If may say so, and I am sure his Excellency would agree with me, the sub- jects of shorthand and typerwriting are two of the most useful accomplishments which a boy, going into the business of the world could possibly posse35. – I myself have recently acquired the art of typewriting, and I derive the greatest ben fit and string of time from be`ng ab's to do it. There is one crsticism which not his Excellency only, bat Brother Sylvester has also referred to-that is abs00+ and unpano a slity. The report made last year shows that there is an improvement, and still room for improvement. If you know how important it is to be punctual you would keep strictly to the rules of the school, and avoid, whatever the temptation may be, staying at home on an uncle or an annt's birthday. I remember I myself win criticised. by one of the gentlemen taking a sent at the reporters' table for taking my seat on the bench a quarter of an hour late. The criticism was justified, but I euld not help being late, as I was engaged in chambers doing other work. For everybody concerned it is of the utmost importance that you should be punctual in your undertakings, and the old story about punotu ility being the thief of time is not true. I should lika to nesist, if I possibly gould, ia reporting to H.E. the Officer Administering the GoreCU · ment. the great need this school has for s suitable playground. Physical exercises and drill come a close second to mental knowledge, and if I can do anything in the way of assisting the boys to gat a playground in my humble I shall certainly do so. A large school lk this should have a large playground so that the scholars can enjoy thems Ives during the sony hours after work (applause). Aud now I will say what I should have said at first, as I am now going to take the place of his Excellency. Everybody misses, and none more than myself, his presence here to-day. Bat you will be pleased to hear that he hae mide slight progress since his absence, and I am sure I am only expressing the wish of all present when I say we hope he may soon cɔme back to the Colony restored to perfect health (apnlausa).
Way,
His Honour thon distributed the long list of prizes.
CHRISTMAS IN HONGKONG.
The usual
Christmas passed off quietly in Honkong. There was a complete cessation of business and the weather being seasonable-cold and bracing the pleasures of the day were not entirely confined to indoor enjoyments. midnight servies were held in the B.C. Churches, and were largely attended, the most numerous congregation being of course in the Cathedral where Bishop P∙ssoni omviated. His Lordship also celebrated High Mass on X mas morning. Ia St. John's Cathedral the Xmas Day services, conducted by the Rav. F. T. Johnson, attracted large congregations. The entertainment of the young was emphasised and in other respects the great festival was marked with the custom ry rejoicinga. At the Sailors Home, Seamens' Institute, Soldiers and Sailors' Home, and similar institutions the desasion was not allowed to pass without appropriate recɔgni. tion sad at the Government Civil Hospital th ps'ients were brightened on Christmas night by a most enjoyable concert, in which H.. the Uff r Administering the Government took a must successful part. While the sirents were by no means deserted, it was evident that most people did not care to go faraheld on Tuesday. At Happy gratitude, not in this Colony only but evry. Valley there were a fair numb ir engaged in the where in the British Empire where you have sport of some kind, the only novelly being pro- fulfilled what you have undertaken.
vided by the naval yard sports. Yesterday, how- and crowds now pass to the report I understand the ever, the place was a regular Ma001, education here is what is called secondary assembled to se the various games in progress, education; that is to say, that after the primary th bright sunshine encouraging a large education, you undertake to fit boys for the attendance. professions they are going to take in after life.
BAILOBS AND SOLDIERS' HOME. I shall not take in detail the report, but there A tea and variety entertainment, arranged are one or two things I should notice because by the Hongkong Temperance Union, were they were noticed by his Excellency in his given at the Sailors and Soldiers' Hom last speech last year. He drew attention in the night. There were about 150 present in the first plac to the stuly of hygiene, and I am large hall, which had been tastefully decorated sure he will be pleased to fi id such progress for the occasion by Mr. Matthews, assisted made in that most important subject. He also by bluejackets and a very plamat time was criticised the introduction of shorthand, type-spent by all. Songs were sang by English sad writing and bookkeeping, and I am sure he Chinese children, glees were rendered by the
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