24th February.
Tne system at present obtaining in Hongkong makes some provision more or less adequate for the youth of all nationalities residing there. On the other hand, true to its traditional policy, the British government makes no special provision for the sons of its own race. The consequence is that from time to time Britishers have agitated that English schools should be opened for Euro~ pean children only and, we believe, that there are hopes more or less well grounded that ere long something will be done in that direction.
The schools at present at work in the colony comprise such institutions as Queen's College, and the Diocesan School; also day schools, where an elementary education can be secured by the Chinese, and vernacular schools for the children of the poor. In addition to these, many Chinese and Eurasians, whose ambition and need of dollars at any rate equal their attainments, attempt to teach English to their fellow-countrymen, Perhaps at present for its size there is mo more effective edcational establishment in Hongkong than the Divcesan School under the careful and able control of Mr.
Piercy, who is the son ut the Rev. G. Piercy, the first Wesleyan Missionary to China. Many Eurasians who are sent from different ports along the China coast board are there, and there re also a large number of Chinese day scholars. In this school moreover the Christian religion is taught, and is regarded as an essential part of the education given. This notwithstanding, the school has gradually risen in efficiency and well-do-do Chinese do not hesitate to place the education of their children under Mr. Piercy's charge. Here fees are regularly charged.
In the large majority of schools in Hongkong the tuition is free. The Government demands that certain subjects shall be taught, and at the end of the year, after a searching exmination by the Goverament Inspector, grants are made according to the attainments of the scholars, the number of attendances during the year, and the general proficiency of those who come up for examination. The children generally do well.
There is no doubt that a good many of the children get a smattering
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.