Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1855-04-14

subject l am happy to state moreover that the
Atlas spoken of in former reports is on its way TO
the Islands, and it cannot fail 10 revive the study
OF geography, thing greatly needed for the last
few years. A new edition of Colburn's mental
arithmetic has also been published for the schools
What has been paid for these several works, will
appear IN accounts enclosed.
The schoolhouses generally are in bad condition,
and the school funds will not admit of their being
much improved without suspending the schools so
long as to be very injurious to them. But in some
places, askohala and Hamakua Hawaii, the parents
have shown laudable public spirit in the erection
OF few comfortable native school houses at their
own expense. Like instances have occurred also
IN other districts. Were the school tax promptly
paid IN at the commencement of the year as the
law provides it would enable the proper officers to
gradually make some improvement in the houses
and furniture also
The common school is the poor mans college;"
the little education be gets is here. 1t is through
these humble Institutions, planted in every nook
and corner OF His Msjesty's domnions, that the
masses, the poor, and remote, of low condition as
well as high, learn to read, write and cipher, in
their own mother tongue where every Hawaiian
child can be taught free Of charge, an average of
l52 days in the year. at average cost to the ma
tive of So 06 or 500 Clio per day. 1t is here
he learns perhaps his first lessons of subordination
and subsection to law, which are as necessary to
prepare him In after life to be law abiding citizen
and good subject of his sovereign, as a know-
edge OF the rudlments of learning. Wherever
there are good common schools, there is likely to
be good and easy civil government.
L am aware that our common schools are spoken
of disparagingly by some, who would even abolish
them altogether, and expend the entire school rev.
enue on English schools for natives. OF the latter
shall speak in another place. Ii is hardly posi-
bic to oVerestimate their importance to the native
race; but in my humble opiniun, it would be most
serious national calamity to carry them on to the
detnment OF the common free schools To supply
the ,75l children in these schools with proper
instruction in the English language would require
almost If not the entire revenue of the Kings gov
ernment. The thing is out of the question. The
nation is not prepared for it. To change the lam
guage OF any people, especially to introduce Ian
guage so difficult for the Hawaiian as the English,
must necessarily be work of time, labor and ex
pense. But while this tedious up hill process is
going on, let every Hawaiian youth be taught at
least to read and write his own language, which
however barbarous to civilized ears is full of sweet
ness and melody to his.
II. SELECT SCHOOLS.
These, as stated in my last report, are of two
classes on the Islands such aided or endow-
ed by government, and such as are supported on
the voluntary principle. Of the former there are
the Seminary at Lahainauna, the Royal school,
the Town school of Honolulu, and the English
schools for natives.
The seminary at Lahainaluna, as will appear
from the report of the Trustees herewith submitted
marked l., has been in a highly prosperous condi-
ton during the year. Having recently visited it
consider it under good management and discipline;
the instruction is thorough and practical, and the
conduct of the students praiseworthy. The Trus-
tees say ''they have generally behaved with the or
der and sobriety becoming young men who are la
boring to qualify themselves for high posts of use
fulness." In fact more intelligent, healthy and
promising company of native boys, 1t would be diff
ficut to find on the Islands. They pay nothing
for tuition, room rent, The use of the land they
cultivate with these advantages they provide for
their own support.
The repairs on the buildings referred to in my
last report have been completed, and they now
in good repair, with the exception Of the roof of
the North wing. which being of thatch needs to be
removed and shingles put on its place. For this a
small appropriation is requested by the trustees.
1t would be difficult to over-rate the importance |
of this institution to His Majesty's Government |
and people. 1t has educated many, if not most of
his public native servants aad the leading men of
the nation are from within IFS walls. 1t well de-
serves then to continue to enjoy the fostering care
of the Kings Government. The number of stu
dents during the year was so. The financial con-
dition of the school will be seen by the accol ut
herewith enclosed, marked P.
THE ROYAL SCHOOL.
The principal, E. G. Beckwith. ESQ.,, having ac-
cepted a call to the Presidency of "Oahu College,"
resigned his situation in September last. Iahealth |
compelled his brother and assistant Mr.. George !
Beckwith also to withdraw from the school at the |
same time. Since that time it has been for one |
term under the care of Misses NJ. A. Chamberlain /
and A. E Clark, and for a second term under the
care of the former young lady, who taught the pri
mary scholars, while +. G. BeckwIth for tempo |
rary arrangement consented to give instruction to
those mor' advanced in the afternoon Of each day.
Immediately on receiving the resignation of the |
principal, by the authority of the Kings Govern
ment | wrote for new teacher, to the Unite |
States, and am happy to state that has already
arrived orthe situation Mr.. Morris B. Beckwith, !
an elder brother Of the gentlemen above named |
comes highly recommended as an experienced
teacher of youth and it is believed will fully sus-
tain the reputation the Royal School has heretofore
had.
II would be out of place for me to pass any eulo- |
ry on the labons of the Messrs BeckWth while in /
charge of that institution; and it rs the less Deces
sary since The report of the examining committee
in May last, consisting of the Hon. ID. L. Gregg, |
his MS Ez. R. c. WyElie, and the Hon E. p Bond,
has done them and the institution full justice. A
copy of the same is herewith enclosed. |
An account of the receipts and disbursements of
the school for the year. marked E, is enclosed here
with, from which it will appear that the receipts
from the tuition have been sufficient to pay the
teachers salaries, and meet incidental expenses
The account stood thus, Dec. 81:
Balance in hand Jan, LIST, 1854, S237 46
Receipts for tuition during the year, 1888 90
$40 65
Paid for teachers salaries and incidental
expenses, s3O66 Is
Balance on hand Dec. 3lst, 1854, 73 81
3,14O 66
THE TOWN SCHOOL OF HONQLULU.
The condition and progress of this institution is
in he Of the