The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-07-01
PUNAmoU PREPARAToEY sonooI.
Hilo Boerding school for Bors.

1t will be forty. nine years next October since
Rev. ID. j. Lyman began at Hiio boarding school
for Hawaiian boys. His nearly thirty-eght years
of faithful service ended in 1874, and suocumbing
to the infrmties of old age he entered into rest,
ten years later, Oct. 4th, 1881, Rev w. b. Oleson,
a graduate of Oberin Theological Seminary, came
to the Island in August, 1873, to take charge of
the school. Under his efficient management, the
school soon recovered its former popularity, and
the number of scholars has doubled, increasing
from 80 TO 10. 1t has always been tile aim in this
school TO deyeope strong upright, godly char
acter on the basis of sound and thorough drill in
the rudiments of knowledge The graduates of
this school have been conspicuous for their ster-
ing worth of character, and the positions of useful
ness and honor they have held In the various com
munities in which they have lived. T
The school has been from tue start n manual
labor school, the boys raising their own food, and
earning enough else by their labor to supply them
selves with the various comforts and cOuveniences
of school life. The American Board Of Missions
has contributed generously for tic erection of
buildings and the salaries Of tue teachers aud pay
now most of Mr.. Oleson's salary. The Legisla-
ture made special grant, four years ago, OF
5000 which Was economically spent In the cree
ton of new buildings, and the Improvement of the
old premises. The appropriation of 5000. made
at the last session. has not been paid but ought TO
have been long ago put at the disposal OF the Trus
tees. 1t Is certain that that aniOunt of money
could nowhere else be 20 well applied MS at the
Hilo Boarding School in furnishing the additional
appliances now imperatiyely needed for the adj
VdnCement OF the GuuCAtlO!ldl lntcfCatS OF Llt
Hawaiian people. 1t is only within three years
that any money has been asked OF the scholars for
the expenses of the Hilo School. The charge now
made ID only ten dollars year, for boys OYER four
teen years old Md t6enly-fTe dollars for the
younger boys. Et11.7 NJ
The forty acres of Land, set apart from the old
Mission Grant, for the use Of the schcol,are the
chief reliance for it, SUPPORT The boys cultivate
upland taro iuf the WehIwa variety, b sweet pota-
toes and baIuuas. On this strictly vegetable diet
they thrive, and cases Of sickness are very rare.
Water IS brought upon tue premises from the Wai-
luku River taken from it four miles above the site
| of the school, There Is a cnpmOdipus bath house
20 by 10 feet sind 81 feet deep all eemented by the
boys own work. They have q cook house in which
the taro is cooked and pounded. Two stew
ards, older boys, have Charge OF tic eating house,
Tho boys sleep IN the rOOus uycr the schoOlroons,
| three to seven in one ROOM in separate beds.
1t is only by thorough organization, by fixed
hours for work. 10y careful supervision of all de-
tails, that such school can be sustained. Bat SO
completely has Mr.. Olespn systematized all the
arrangements, that the institution Is model in
the way OF self-goyernment as well AZ support.
The influence OF the school IS to develop this most
important element of true maniincss, and the
whole tone and temper of the institution is most
admirable. Punishment - very rare needed,
mostly in the way of extra work, which shall be
for the good of the school, well rs for the deyel
opment of new capabilities in the scholar. a
healthy, religious life aud sentiment are regarded
as fundamental 10 all true worth of character.
Responsibility TO God for right use Of opportuni-
ties and privileges IS lncalculate1, as much as
trust the Gospel offers of mercy TO the penitent
and believing.
The examinations came Of on Monday and Tues.
day, at the school hall, and the annual Exhibition
at Hail Church, Wednesday Evening, June p.
The scholars showed that they had profted BY the
drill Of the classroom iii their eHdeut mastery Of
the principles of the various branches in which
they were examined Miss Mary Hillebrand's
class, that had been only five weeks studying nota
ton, showed great quickness ard accuracy. She
has Taught notation Of Decimal Fraction, IN COL
nectiOn with whole numbers, 10 tliH class. Miss
Clarks class III History. aud Sir. Hitchc0cks class
in Popular Science recited from manuscript les-.
sons, written by the scholars from dictltion oKer
ercises, prepared by Mr.. Olesou specially for his
school, securing great condensation Of facts as
well as simplicity Of language qualities not to be
fonud in amy ordinary text book. Mr. Oieson's
method of teaching the English Language Is also
unique, avoiding all the techncalites Of the ordi
nary English Grammar. Some Of the teachers Of
Government schools, who are wrestling With the
difficulties of teaching Hawaiians in English,
would get reliable assistance from some OF Mr.
Oleson's method. The Board Of Education would
do well 10 have a Teachers Institute, to take up
for mutual study and conference this one subject
SO important for the successful management Of
Hawaiian schools. . G. H. ii.