The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-07-01
Report u the Examining Committee of
Oahu College. Appointed for
the Year 1876,
To he Trestses q oahu college j.:

To ns Tres.sss e Oahu College &c.
Your committee would respectfully report, that
one or more members Of the committee have been
present at each Of the closing examinations Of Oahu
4! College, and they have carefully observed the
general condition and management Of the institution;
a. well a. The method employed 10 teaching particu-
lar branches, The school appears TO be in a
prosperous condition and under good management
Tie Buildings are substantial. convenient, ana
sufficiently commodious to meet the present require
ments Of the institution.
The Teachers during the past year appear 10
have been earnes; and faithful in the prosecution Of
their work.
1t is always an agreeable discovery to fnd " the
right man in the right place Such a hsppy
adjustment would seem to have been effected with
respect to the President of this College.
Mr.. Pratt, who entered the walls Of the institu-
ton a year ago, an entire stranger, has won an
enyiable, but deserved reputation as a discipIinsrian
and instructor.
His judicious and kindly oversight has secured
good order and an equally friendly spirit on the
part of the scholars, rendering the duties and
association of the parties mutually interesting and
agreeable
In the opinion of your committee this has beei
brought about, in great measure, by the high-tone'
and manly bearing which has characterized tie
intercourse OF the President with the students. We
should do injustice were we to omit mention of the
good Offices Of Mrs. Pratt whose cheerful manner
and sincefe interest have contributed much to make
Punahou a home for the scholars who have bolrded
attbe institution.
+ .Mr. Frank ". Damon, (who has been an
acceptable teacher at the College during the past
three years) closes his labors, in this connection,
with the present year,
The classes under his immediate supervision
witness TO a careful training, especially the more
advanced classes.
Miss Eck!ey and Miss Tfoto6ridge have both
labored faithfully and with satisfactory results; as
the proficiency of the classes under their charge
fully attests.
About 81 students have been in attendance during
fthe year, ranging from 10 to 10 years of age. In
! general arU-s.c~ce euJ s .;-rnnts thew cnmnare
~avorahiy S3se sesEfls q like ade elsewhere.
The srcHttaa4i9Es were open aAa Sc thi4A taIE
test Of tls ability 81 The students, snc hs5e 1-cc
highly satisfactory
The range Of studies included reading, spelling,
arithmetic, geography. grammar, science Of common
things, natural philosophy, rhetoric, algebra,
geometry, Latin and Greek.
Through some mistake no exhibit was made of
proficiency in penmanship.
The classes in arithmetic and algebra displayed
commendable attainments; while the recitations in
Geometry were particularly good. The class in
Rhetoric did themselves and their teacher great
credit. The advanced classes in Latin have
3 Z H4OfbCu "a Ndoit 1L GtdSSFCdl SluuY, anu
were especially proficient in mythology. By their
intelligent rendering Of certain fine passages
committed to memory and the well-chosen wording
of their TRANSACTIONS they displayed their appre-
citation Of the beauty of the thought and style Of
the author.
We wNre glad to find so much attention paid to
THE rudimentary branches, such as reading and
spelling. a healthy interest and competition in
1 spelling had been promoted by the offer of prizes
for superiority.
\ The two spelling-matches were spirited aud
showed fair attachments IN that department..
A reading exercise, of a portion of one Of
Shakespeare's plays, was rendered in a very
creditable manner.
The literary and OratoricaE exercises did honor
to the students and institution.
The declarations were one and all rendered in a
clear and forcible manner.
The compositions showed thought and an appre-
citation of the subjects chosen.
A composition on "Insect Life . was of peculiar
merit. considering the age of the writer and the
limited opportunity he has had TO study this
particular branch of natural science.
The editorial articles in the 9" Centennial Echo,''
elected general commentator. There was q pleas
ing variety of style and the subjects were well
handled. 4 duet Listen to the fairy feet,'' was
sung very sweetly; and the two instrumental pieces
were well rendered. The committee would have
been glad to hear more of the boys declaim, and
think it might have been effected by emitting the
reading exercises which had received sufficient
prominence in classes.
The exercises and examinations have been credit
able to the institution and all concerned. We would
suggest that an improvement might be made in
chorus singing. and the school needs a good collection
of glees for such occasions.
We are glad TO learn that it is the purpose of the
President to devote more attention to music another
year.
We congratulate the Trustees and all Patrons Of
this school on its very prosperous condition.
W. d. ALEXANDER,
CHAs. c. HARRIS,
JAMES r. BOYD,
THEODORUs IL. HASCAII-