50
by passing a pupil at the Oxford examination | is a result which speaks for itself. While I listened the other day to what Dr. Ho Kai so eloquently said on the work of Mr. Barnett and his assistants, the thought came very for tunately to my mind what a duty not only St. Stephen's or this Girls' College, but many other good works in this Colony and most colleges and hospitals owed to the public spirit, personal generosity and unfailing energy of Dr. Ho Kai-(applause). I am glad to take this opportunity of testifying my own admiration and appreciation of what he has done, and is constantly doing. There is no good work in the Colony in which he has not taken a prominent part with the able as- sistance of his colleague on the Legislative Council, the Hon. Mr. Wei Yuk, also Mr. Tse and other Chinese gentlemen whose names are familiar to us, but the list is too long for me to recapitulate it now. I always feel that we can turn to them with confidence and reliance whenever anything makes for the good of their fellow countrymen. Ladies and Gentleman, Lady Lugard my wife, asked me to ex- press to you how deeply sorry she was that she was unable to be here this after- noon owing to serious illness, and she asked me to convey to the scholars and the staff of St. Stephen's her earnest hope for their success in the coming year, and to tell them how deeply interested she is in all that concerns this school. She believes, as I do, that the women of China in coming years must learn to appre- ciate the work in which their husbands are engaged; to intelligently and sympathetically share it, and to help them in framing the destinies of their country whether it be the country of China, or whether it be this Colony of ours. No woman can be really a com- panion to her husband unless she can share, sympathetically and intelligently, in his actions and in the work which he has set himself to do. To do this it is necessary that she should have an education-an education which will enlarge her horizon and enable her to eradicate parochial prejudices, and to take a wider view of the work of the world, and the work in which her husband is engaged. I noted with great interest, from the report of the year read to us by Mr. Barnett, that among other subject. which are taught in this College is domestic economy. I should like to know more precisely what that term covers. I hope it covers sanitation and hygiene of the home, intelligent care of children, sympathetic treatment of servants, the knowledge of simple domestic remedies for household ailments, and last but not least, I hope it covers instructions in the way in which a woman can make her home bright and attractive. I think, perhaps, that the last is the most important of all; that a woman should make her home reflect the qualities which she herself possessess, the cultivation and refined taste which education bring with it. This then, is the advice which I would give the pupils of this College: that they should endeavour to prepare themselves for what, I think, is the best work woman can do in this world—that is, to share intelligently and sympathetically in her husband's work, and to endeavour to set before him by her ideals and her standards of duty, the art of making their home bright and attractive; as attractive and bright as they themselves. I wish you all a happy newhinese year, and I wish all the pu- pils of this College, and the staff of the College, pleasant holidays.
=
HIS EXCELLENCY then proceeded to distribute the prizes to successful pupils.
DIOCESAN SCHOOL AND
ORPHANAGE.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Hon. Dr. Atkinson and Mr Sin Tak Fan.
ANNUAL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.
The annual prize giving of the Diocesan School and Orphanage took place at noon yesterday, when His Excellency the Governor presided. Seated on the platform with His Excellency were His Lordship Bishop Lander, Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett, Rev. F. T. Johnson and Mr. A. J. Brackenbury, while the large attendance included the Rev. T. W. and Mrs. Pearce, Mr. and Mrs, W. D. Braidwood, Rey C. H. and Mrs. Hickling, Rev. A. D. Stewart. Rev. J. A. and Mrs. Bunbury, Miss Henniker,
[January 18, 1909.
(applause). We have heard from Mr. Piercy that the school cricket team is exceptionally strong this year. Last year when I distributed the prizes I made the suggestion that we should. institute a competition for second elevens. Mr. Wolfe, Inspector of Schools, has had this proposal under his consideration during the past year, and with the committee from the various schools has decided that the com- petition will be best for football, as in this the largest number of schools can be represented. So soon as matches have been organised the cup will be ready for the winning team in the second eleven competition. I wish you boys of the Diocesan School every success in the competition for the second eleven football cup (applause). Your holidays are just beginn ing, boys, and you will have lots of leisure for sports of every kind. I hope the weather may be propitious, and I hope you will have happy and pleasant holidays, and that at the beginning of next term you will come back resolved to maintain the high traditions of this school as being the most successful in the Colony in the Ox- ford and Cambridge examinations, and one of the first in every form of competition, whether in school work or in sport. While you rightly place the reputation of your school first and foremost in your thoughts you will not forget that this school is part of a British Colony, that it is due to the liberal institutions under which you live that this school, this cosmopolitan school in which British, Portuguese, Chinese and Eurasians all meet in equal terms and in friendly rivalry, that this school has been able to increase and prosper as it has done. You are jastly proud of your school, and you should be justly proud of the Colony in which you live. Be jealous of its reputation, and I hope you will all be eager when you grow up to take part in its institutions and bear your share in promoting its prosperity and in maintaining its good name. I wish you a very pleasant holiday, and a very successful year to come both in your school work and in your sports.
HIS EXCELLENCY was then asked by His Lordship the Bishop to make a few remarks. He said-My Lord Bishop, Ladies and gentle men, and boys of the Diocesan School: Last year when I distributed the prizes here I said it was usually the good fortune of whoever had, this pleasant task to perform to congratulate the school on continued progress, and on achievements which put in the shade those of the year before. I am glad to say that I can place it on record this year that this progress has not only been maintained, but has been increased in a very marked manner. I take the figures of the last four years. The attendance that is average attendance, not merely enrol- ment-in 1905 was 195; next year it was 222; next 226; this year it has jumped to 242. In the preliminary Oxford examination in 1905, 17 passed; next year 12; the next 15; and this year 18, which, as the headmaster told us, is the largest number which the school has ever succeeded in passing. These are results which the staff and the boys may be very proud of, and of which we, throughout the whole Colony are proud. The headmaster, last year in his report told us that the school very greatly needed an extended building, as I saw for myself when I had been over the premises.. More especially, he said that extensions were required for the boarders. The accommodation for boarders is, as you have heard, limited to 89, and I most cordially agree with the headmaster and the remarks of the committee recorded in their report that the most valuable work done in the school has been done in respect of boarders. I said last year that I hoped that the powerful committee which manages this school would be able to devise means by which this extension might be under. taken. But we know that during past years calls have been many, and money has been, as it is called, tight. But I hope that during the coming year we may be more fortunate, and that the committee may be able to put this ex- tension in hand. It is, ladies and gentlemen, a very striking thing that so many schools in this Colony are increasing so rapidly that it is becoming necessary that their buildings should be increased and extended. Within the last day or two I have had the pleasure of laying the foundation stone of an extension On the conclusion of the reading of these of St. Stephens' College, and also of inaugurat-reports HIS EXCELLENCY presented the prizes. ing new premises for St. Stephen's girls' Col lege. The Government District Schools at ANGLO-CHINESE DISTRICTS HOOLS. Wanchai and Saiyingpun have been, during the last year considerably increased, while the Ellis Kadoorie school, which recently largely increased its building, is already becoming crammed again. Queen'sollege is at its wits end to accommodate all its scholars, and I fear we shall have to reduce the numbers in order to prevent unsanitary overcrowding. Now, while these remarkable facts bear evidence of the apprecia- tion of the primary and secondary education afforded in this olony, they also compel us to consider whether the needs of a higher education for the senior boys in the top forms, and for
those who have proved their ability by passing the Oxford examinations, have been sufficiently provided for. As I think you all know, we have this matter at present under serious con- sideration. Referring to the report which we have just heard read, and also referring to the report of the Inspector of Schools which has not yet been read, but which I have had the pleasure of looking over, I see that the Inspector of Schools says the discipline and organisation of the School are highly satisfactory. He SŁYS also that the vernacular classes which have been instituted during the past year, have been successful; and it is, I am sure you will agree with me, a very important matter that Chinese scholars should be able to read and write their own language. He has reported too, that the school is thoroughly efficient. Among the during the past year is the fact of the increase salient points in these reports of the progress
of the numbers of assisted scholars, that is to say those whose fees are paid or partly paid by subscribers. In 1906 the number was 59, in 1907 it increased to 65. This shows the appreci- ation generously subscribed in order to enable a cer- and approbation of the public who tain number of boys who were not able to pay the fees of the school to take advantage of the education offered. To that subscription list I shall be very glad to add my own name
The PRINCIPAL then read the report of the Inspector of Schools and the Rev. C. F. Thomp- son's scripture report, both of which were very satisfactory. Mr. WOLFE returned the school as thoroughly efficient, and recommended a grant at the rate of 35/-.
On the 15th instant the presentation of prizes in connection with the Anglo-Chinese Schools at Wantsai Sai-yang-pun and Yaumati and also the Anglo-Indian Schoolat Belilios Reformatory took place. At the last named school where there was a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen interested in education, Mr. WOLFE, Inspector of Schools, presided and there were present Messrs. A. Morris, S. R. Moore and Young Hee, headmasters, and Mesdames Young
Hee and Moore.
also
ormal prize giving. Boys from each schools The proceedings were not confined to the
gave a display of their elocutionary ability, the frecitations being
eing decidedly quaint and interest ing.
Mr WOLFE, in the course of his remarks, referred to the growing popularity of the Anglo- Chinese schools as was indicated by the fact that the three district schools and Queen's College and Ellis Kadoorie were all taxed to their atmost; not only had the numbers increased but there was also a marked increase in their efficiency. The large schools, he pointed out, were ousting the smaller ones, due to the fact that the latter could not afford to provide instructors in English, St. Ste- phen's being practically the only private Anglo-Chinese school. The district schools at and now Yaumati wished extension. He was Wantsai and Sayingpun had been enlarged
sure if the Government thought it was necessary they would provide the additional accommod ation. Proceeding, Mr. WOLFE said he found the work of the three schools was very satis- colloquial did not frame their answers on the factory, but indicated that the boys in English model of the questions set. The Anglo-Chinese masters, though labouring under difficulties, appeared efficient. Geography, mathematics and brush work were all good, but the results in
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