Lam sure we all regret very much the reason—sad news from home—that prevents Colonel Bruse from fulfilling his kind promise and intention to take the chair to-day and to present these prizes. We are under grest obligation to Mr. Johnston for so kindly consenting to take Colonel Bruce's place at such short notice {tis most unfortunate that to-day we have such unfavourable weather, and that ti storm and snow have prevented many from attending. Weare, however, unable to pone this function, as several of our sys are forced by circumstances to leave for Newchwang by the next boat, This is our second prize distribution. The Commis-ioner on the previous ocession described the schoo! as an exceedingly healthy infant." We have not outgrown out infancy during the past year, but we are developing, nnd at least on2 important st Ween passed. in the life of a school has may also claim, I think. that our health and vigour as a ung and growing institution are unimp.ired. It is very important state in the growth of any institution when new promises become necessary and have been obtained. No tone, not engaged in school work, can realise the dithculties of working in adapted premises. Nor, therefore, th-great advantages of life and work in buildings specially constructed for the the situation of the new school house is purpose. It is generally admitted thes one of the best possible in the Colony. We may note in this connection the Com:
remarks in his last report to the Colonial Offic "<The Weihaiwei School... moved into ite new buildings at the end of last year. Th school has been built tv accommodate 4°) pupils, and occupies an excellent situ tion, commanding " fine view of the harbour. The fact that there ix no healthier place Weihaiwei in the Far Kast ought to attract popi's to the school Sleeping Accommodation.
As regards the construction of a sell house for boarders, there is no detail which has provoked so much discussion as the accommodation fur sleeping. We have two dormitories ere capable of tuking twenty beds each without overcrowding. A great deal has been exid for and against cubicles and small rooms, but the open dormitory seems to receive most approval from experts, I have here the opinions of De. Duke, for many years Medical Oficer to Rugby S.bot, and a recognised expert on matters affecting school health and sanitation. "I have no he-station in saying that in many schools a ' first-class fare' is charged for a ' third-class accommodation.' And yet the physical and moral health of the scholars varies very touch according to the sleeping accommodation provided. Of all school arrangements cubicles are undoubtedly the worst. However any human being, profession to be an educator of the young, coul: construct them and uphold their virtues, I fail to understand, and yet foot cam see all in the room, and they, are largely im rogue in the large open ritory ti this purpose sufficient light should be provided; but the socrect ofthe cubicle at once increases the power of the bad boy, and takes from the prefect the possibility of supervision. The argument of those who advocate cubicles is, that the open dormitory tends to vulgarity or coarseness of manners, through its lack of privacy. Even if this were inevitable, I would yet aay, let us have this open coarseness of manners, rather than tht secret vice which undermines the whole character and constitution, wud is the primary cause of a large proportion of the evil in 'Society.' But I would urge that this coarseness of manners is not inevitable, and I maintain that with " properly constituted prefectorial system, based on character as well as on position in the school, the tone of the dormitory coul would-be, and ought to be, as good as is ible to be obtained amongst human Progress.
The war has been a disturbing element in more directions than one. Our proximity to the scene of hostilities, rumours of drifting mines, have discouraged visitors from coming here season, and to some extent we have also been affectd. "We are glad, however, to be able to report: some growth. Last prize day we hi hoarders, we now have 23. A great deal has been prophesied about the progress and development of Weihaiwei by successive administrators. As regards the number of resident Europeans the process would seem to b" retrogressive, for at one time we had day-scholars and now one only. We may, however, reasonably expect that when peace is established and public confidence restored, the Colony's development will no longer be x theme for optimistic prophets but will become accomplished fret.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.