The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-06-29
Report of the Examining Committee
Appointed by the Trustees of
Oahu College.
To the Trustees of Oahu CoIlege.

To the Trustees Of Oahu College,
GENTLEMEN The undersigned, the Examining
Committee, respectfully submit the following report
to your body:
The Committee attended the Examination held
at Punahou, June 18th, 18th and 10Th, all of them
being present during most of the first and third
days, and two of them attending the second day.
The entire premises in the occupation of this
institution are in a state of neatness and repair
never before attained ; this is the more commenda-
BILE to the management, as the recent drought has
been very discouraging. The tidy and we'll kept
appearance of the table for the boarders, and,
in fact, all the buildings and rooms in use, reflect
praise upon the Principal and Mrs. Pratt, the eff
cient Matron.
The Examinations showed that during the year
past there had been conscientious and faithful
study on the part Of the scholars, and that careful
and patient instruction has been afforded by the
teachers.
The Committee cannot undertake, for want of
space, to particularize all the different classes that
were examined, but especially commend the pro-
fciency of the classes in Algebra, Natural History,
and Science of Government, the thoroughness dis
played by the classes in Latin and Greek, and
the excellence of recitations of all those in the classes
in Mental and Moral Philosophy. Particularly
the graduating class in the philosophical studies,
showed that they had not only been faithful to
their tasks, but that they had learned to think
independently-the most important result of all
study.
In the way of criticism, which we understand
is invited, the Committe would remark that, in
their opinion, more attention should be paid to
the method and style of recitation, both as regards
the personal attitude of the scholar while reciting,
and in striving for greater facility and elegance
in expression. The Committee also recommend a
freer use of the blackboards, with which the school
is we'll supplied, not only in the mathematical
studies, but in Grammar and Analysis. by which
not only what has been learned may be illustrated,
but the subsidiary purposes of cultivating facility
of composition in language, correctness in spelling
and punctuation may be furthered.
A glance at the published "Order of Exsmina-
tom would lead one to suppose that these last
mentioned rudimentary but most essential branches
of learning had been neglected, but your COMMITTEE
understand that they have been taught during the
year, but not during the closing term, owing to
lack of teaching force, consequent upon changes
in the teachers.
The effort made by the Principal to grade the
School thoroughly has been quite successful, and
yours Committee hope that this scheme may be
continued.
The discipline of the School appears good, and
the high moral tone which this school has always
exhibited seems to have even advanced during the
past year.
The Committee feel called upon to express their
regret that the principal, Mr.. A. Pratt, and his
corps of assistants feel themselves obliged to retire
now from their responsible yet most useful posi-
ton in our community and the con-
gratulate the Trustees and the community that
there has been so long maintained in this Kingdom
q school of this high character, and are hopeful
of its further and continued success under the new
The Committee add their congratulations to the
retiring Principal and the graduating class on the
entire success of the Rhetorical Exercises on the
occasion of its valedictory on Thursday evening
last.
Respectfully submitted.
A. FRANCIS JUDD,
C.. NJ. HYDE,
c. ]. LYONS,
D. D. BALDWIN.
Honolulu, June Dist, 1878.