The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-06-22
Report of the Examining Committee OF
Oahu College.

The Committee appointed to attend the Annual
Examination at Punahou arc pleased to report
their great satisfaction with what they saw and
heard. The perfect quiet, decorum, and prompt
ness with which all the exercises were conducted
showed that the teachers had secured that order
which is the prime necessity In all successful
teaching. There has been an improvement IN this
behalf over some years in the past. The assembly
of the school by the sound of the well-beaten
drum, and their marching IN regular nle into the
school-room was most pleasing feature of the
school discipline.
There was no opportunity for the choral singing,
which gave s1ch pleasure at the examinations last
wear but the exercises in music which relieved
the tedium of the protracted sittings indicated
the pupils appreciation of the music rendered, as
well as Mrs. Hanford's careful and thorough in
struction. The music exhibited with the exception
of two vocal duets. was wholly instrumental That
performed was of high character and rendered
with expression and feeling The Committee
view with satisfaction the result obtained in this
department during the past year, and regard the
employment of efficient and talented in
structor as advantage to the school and the
public. Teaching the best music is step in the
right direction.
The work of the class in Drawing was of a high
order and the Committee believe that the prizes
awarded to d. Howard Hitchcock and Addie b.
Peterson were justly deserved the first for ex-
cellency of work, and the second for proficiency
made during the year. The drawings exhibited
show careful training and good taste. The COM
mittee are unable to report what has been done in
Penmanship as there was no opportunity to ex-
anime the work in that department, except so far
as the compositions presented showed the style OF
handwriting.
The classes under Miss Royce in the Preparatory
Department showed judicious and painstaking in
struction. The class In Physiology particularly
appeared to have obtained intelligent ideas regard
ing the structure and of the different parts of
the human frame.
Miss Winters classes in Mathematics and As
tronomy showed clear comprehension of the truths
learned and accuracy of statement in recitation.
In the First Arithmetic class there seemed to be
some hesitation in relation to principles but this
may have arisen perhaps from too close fidelity to
the rules of the book. The Reading Glass had
evidently been taught to seek the precise idea pre-
sented in the printed page, as we'll as to give it
proper expression in their articulations and in
donations.
study this year did not seem fully up to the
average 5.rd IN their recitations, the more
advanced classes showed both neatness and
huency in translation, and familiarity also with
grammatical principles. 1t is to be regretted,
people select 4 classical course. While pleased to
witness the evidence of stpdious attention to the
classical languages of Greece and Rome on the
part of the graduating class, the Committee could
not but note with regret the fact that there was
not presented for examination any class III English
literature though the study had been pursued as
part OF the prescribed course. Ihe Committee are
aware that ii is impossible TO crowd within two
days recitations in all the studies pursued, but
recommend that English literature be made
a prominent feature at every annual ex-
animation. The Committee unite with the
Trustees and the friends of the school in the feel
ing of regret that the institution Is to lose the
services of a teacher, who has done lis work so
thoroughly and acceptably as has MIR. Adams.
The valuable parting gift which the scholars have
presented him is only fitting recognition of the
friendly interest and helpfulness he has manifest
ed for them outside of his special work of nstruc
tion in the classroom.
70 ofo in md al
Philosophy showed IN their method of recitation
how much these subjects had interested them, and
how evidently they had not only mastered these
themes, but been themselves influenced by the
characters and ideas they had studied. Too much
praise cannot be given to the instruction of the
past year, which has produced clearer and better
enuncidtion and pronunciation than for many
years has been heard at Punahou. There was
noticeable however, an excessive partcul trity in
pronouncing the Obscure vowel sounds In unac-
cented syllables. In every department the pupils
might have manifested more enthusiasmi but
perhaps that is not to be expected III climate that
lacks the bracing qualities of cooler zones.
Not the least interesting part of the exercises to
many of the visitors WAS the noon lunch The
young lady graduate, who make as good cake
as that SO bountifully provided by the matron of
the Boarding Department, gives promise and
pledge of being notable housekeepe-, able TO
bring substantial comfort to the home over which
she may preside, well as to grace 1t with the
culture of wel-stored mind.
We are pleased to note that in the Catalogue for
1881 the names of the pupils have been arranged
to show the classes TO which they belong
The Committee deem that no time can be more
fitting than the present to point out with due
emphasis what must have occurred to many viz
How greatly the value and efficiency of the school
would be enhanced if the pupils could be induced /
to follow out the prescribed course of study. This
would add defniteness to their aim IN seeking an
education, and by establishing series of stable
goals would furnish a most reliable stimulus to
the pupils
The six scholars who graduated this year have
well earned the diplomas which they have received
and their ESSAYS and orations in fortstreet Church.
Thursday evening, were most satisfactory in mat |
ter and manner. Yet the extent to which elective
studies have been pursued, conveyed to many |
minds the impression that the graduates were Ill
stTictness not class, but members of several /
classes. We would recommend the adoption of I
written examinations at the close OF the first two
TERMS and every effort possible to keep the schol-
closely to the present carefully arranged course
of study. 4
We congratulate the friends of the school that |
the liberality which has provided generously for
needed alterations in the seats, hall, and stairway
seems to have led the way III the line OF much |
needed improvements With this fortieth ami |
veTsary it is hoped that Punahou, which has done ]
much for the educational interests of tins com
munity, will receive the generous benefactlOns 1t
deserves. Then the advantages it will have to |
offer will undoubtedly not only repay many fold |
to the present residents of these Islands the |
amount Of pecuniary assistance afforded, but will |
attract to this city many families, who for their
chlldren's sake will seek the advantages of home
in equable climate, able to offer, as shall /
then be, such superior advantages also for first
class education. @. M. HYDE,
w. r. CASTLE,
A. I. ATKINSON,
n. B. EMERSON,
Honolulu, June 21st, 1881. Committee.