The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-06-28
Report Of the Examining Committee O
Oahu College.

The object OF the Committee in the following
Annual Report has been to offer friendly sagges-
ton and to avoid iudiscrIninate praise. such com
mendation as is given. although il may be expressed
in spAring terms. has been well earned. In TIE
short tine permitted for the examination of so many
classes, il Is not easy 10 learn the merits Of all the
pupils Frequently. time did not serve to examine
all The members Of = class. and probably some
were omitted who would have doas better than
some who recited. Ii Is recommended that monthly
written examinations be introduced. and that the
Annual Examiners be- requested 10 prepare IN ad-
vanGe printed questions for the several classes TO
answer in writing. This method viii test ali the
pupils alike. and II combined with oral questions
By instructors and the Examiners. will be found
more satisfactory TO all concerned.
1t X apparent that fair average progress in studies
has been made. The classes in Algebra and
Arithmetic, and particularly in Latin. Greek. Comic
& Sections, and History. appeared we'll. and have
formed accurate habits OF study. The class in Eng
lish History did very well. but II seemed smaller
than the Importance OF the study demands. Is -
suggested that more time be given by all the pupils
To the elements of the English language. and that
general exercises would be useful in EnunciSnon,
Pronunciation English Criticism. and also in
Mental Arithmetic and Mental Algebra. Specimens
Of PenmanshlP were not shown. and the
cannot report whether that branch receives the at
& teution il deserves. The instruction in Music has
been excellent. The Gymnastic Exercise appeared
TO be TOO long. Frequent rest and frequentchange
in the sets OF muscles which are exercised, are re-
quisite. The theory of violent or long-continued
muscular rACItlSt i ADh -NElFlAtlF OtSdHpAbhNN
although varied and gentle Calisthenics are excel
lent in adding grace and giving proper develop
ment. The Hawaiian language seems to require
more critical teaching IN the grammar The Eng
lish Composition Is not so good as the Committee
desire to see. OF the specimens offered for compe-
tition, the have chosen the composition
! entitled - \ Glance ut the Past and Present OF Ha-
wall" as the one most deserving Of the prize but
they =hope that if prizes are offered again. there
will be more than one. and that the writers who
compete will be required TO send to the Committee
their Compositions. without signature, the week
previous TO the public examination.
Many OF the pupils have evidently striven to i'm
prove their tones of voice and their enunciation f;
but great attention to these matters is needed by
the majority. \ clear. distinct voice and manner
of speech, Is the one thing especially needed.
Pupils, in reciting. should not answer with averted
faces. carelessly looking around the room, but
looking directly towards the instructor.
The department and conduct were generally
good. although in some instances there wa room
to improve In matters of courtesy and gentleness.
The Exhibition on the evening of the 10Th was u
decided success. There was a pleasing variety in
the themes for defamation and dialogue, embrac-
ing the comic. the tragic. the historic. the descrip-
tive. the poetic. the didactic. and the moral. From
beginning TO end, the exercises were well sustained,
and with this happy feature. that they were not
tedious or dull. One exercise succeeded another
with promptness and vivacity. The life-current
flowed freely in the veins of the youthful speaker,
and the responses of the assembly showed the
electric sympathy which passed from speakers TO
bearers. There was. OF course. no little diversity
in the manner as III the matter of the speakers.
The Committee found it difficult TO decide to whom
10 award the single premium at their disposal. Had
three or four premiums been in their bands, there
would have been less difficulty in awarding. They
selected, however. the defamation OF Clarence W.
Cooke as the most praiseworthy. and desire espe-
cially to commend the brothers Peterson.
The Music was an interesting part of the. eXer-
cises. 1t was vocal and instrumental, consisting of
solos. quartettes. and full choruses. Much praise
is due to the accomplished teacher for her labors
in this delightful art. and the Committee earnestly
encourage all the students of Music. both vocal and
instrumental, TO pursue the study and practice
with enthusiasm and patience. Without mention
ing names or making minute specifications, the
Committee would say that these exercises were of
great interest to them, personally. and there was
evidence that they were highly appreciated by the
very large assembly present.
ALFRED S. HARTwELL, ALEX. MACINTOSH, TITUS
CoAN. d.. BALDWIN.
Honolulu. Ii. l.. June 90. 1879.