The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-06-21
Oahu College.

The following is the Report OF the Committee
appointed to attend the Annual Examination Of
Oahu College, held June 18th, 18th and 10th, 1879:
GENTLEMEN OF THE TRUSTEES :-Ali your Com
mittee were present at nearly all the exercises OF
the examination. Our general impression Is that
The school has been in excellent hands during the
past year. With an entire change OF teachers az
the opening of the school year. IL might well have
been feared that the school would appear mt q qis-
advantage and show signs OF loss in scholarly tone
and efficiency. But we can report that the attend
ance has increased, the number OF pupils during
the last term being SO, though some of them are
somewhat lower in grade than those ~who.have or
dinarily been received into the school. But there
seems to have been at least no letting down~sn
scholarship. In some respects we can notice q
decided Improvement. We can say, that there has
been a marked Improvement in the government OF
the school.
We saw with pleasure the military muster of all
the scholars for roll call and entry into the school
rooms. and the like precise order in Diminishing
them. This system contributes to discipline and
punctual habits.
The school is orderly. well behaved and attenss
tive to duties, with little restlessness or deposition
to make annoyance on the part OF the pupils. We
can also commend in unqualified terms the great
Improvement in penmanship. Penmanship, which
has often been complained Of as neglected, has
this year been successfully taught. We are also
gratifed that vocal music has received a more
thorough attention than it has Of late years. In
uEdWluR httC a eel a lmilCu Improvement " y
could be expected. from the general character Of
the exercise.
To Latin and Greek the classes showed very sat
isfactory progress. The instruction has been
thorough. There were examinations In Latin
Reader, Caesar. Cicero, Virgil and the Anabasis.
In some Of the classes in mathematics there were
more clearness and precision and readiness OF
statement than in others, but all OF the four or Eve
classes in Arithmetic, and the two in Algebra. and
the one in Geometry. and the one In Comic Sections
gave evidence OF good teaching.
Tho 1pcIamatl0nq and COmnnoifnnal and muRiN
that occupied the hours Of the last day, gave gen.
eral satisfaction.
We were gratiGed to have the attainments of the
pupils in Instrumental Music so fully exhibfte6.
Your Committee would urge that careful atten-
ton be given TO preserve and perfect the grading
OF the school, as far as possible, and to carrying
the pupils along over a s%ystemati and defined
course of studies. There appears TO be some
danger that scholars will hardly know just where
they are in the different years Of the Preparatory
and of the Academical Courses. There may be
liability that classes in Arithmetic will be multi
piled too much, as younger scholars are admitted.
Bookkeeping has been thoroughly taught, and
the examination Of the two large classes ia that
study was gratifying.
The examination in Natural Philosophy was con-
Quoted by the students, performing and explaining
their own experiments.
English Grammar has been taught in three
classes. and there has been a class OF the younger.
scholars in United States History, all q which
passed fair examinations.
No advanced classes in History. or Rhetoric. or
Literature. or Mental Philosophy, have been taught
the past year. Glasses in Astronomy, Physical
Geography and some other studies had been pre-
viously examined. .ET gW.
There is no graduating class, but il is hoped that
there will be one a year from this time. Spelling
and Reading have been regularly taught, though
no examination was held in these branches. afr
We hope also that the same drill will be extend
ed to defamation and composition by the whole
school that is apparent in the singing and writing.
In the Rhetorical Exercises of Monday, no oon,po-
sition from the boys appeared. In a few classes
also, there was need Of q little more animation In
the recitation, and of a more distinct enunciation.
1t is gratifying TO notice so many Hawaiians tax
ing advantage of the educational privileges OF this
school. and the Committee hope to see this number
increased.
With these suggestions, and with our hearty
congratulations, that the school is so ably and
successfully conducted, we submit TO you this
Report.
WALTER FREAR,
A. FRANCIS JUDD, $Examinin0 Conn
LAWRENCE McCULLY.I
Honolulu, June goth, 1879.