Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-01

Outside few lectures and short
trips to some of the larger United
States cities. Mr.. Bachelor will re-
main with his parents. at Bachelor
| Farm on CohbCSseeCentee. until the
time for his return. He is = Winthrop
High school boy and a graduate from
Bates College, Lewiston, III the Class
of 1901, leaving shortly after to take
| a position as teacher in the island
| schools.
Mr.. Bachelor brings spears used by
| the Christians. wicked looking in
struments which he states those of
the more unciviIiZed people nearly al
ways carry: beautifully woven sleep
| ing mats which the poorer classes use
as beds, merely placing them upon
their bamboo floors; deliberately carved
canes, coin topped rods. swagger-
sticks and combination canes and fish
ing rods; models of farming imple-
ments; baskets used in CARRYING birds
to market; shells of all descriptions,
among them half shell which weighs
$50 pounds to be mounted and used
as n punchbowl; most beautiful en-
braiderX and lace work some on pine
Iapple silk; rare brass pieces greatly
sought by tourists valuable samples
of cloth. hemp as turned out by The
produeer with Moro and Romblon
mats. rice bowls, carved pieces from
the native woods hundreds of pictures
and other enrios almost without num-
Der. picked UP during 10 years travel
ling in all parts of the islands.
Mr. Bachelor had just returned
from a fishing trip when the Journal
man called. As he showed his eollec-
tion he told an earnest and very in
teresting story OF the great work be-
ing done by the corps of instructors
their methods and the customs of the
natives, of the plans now under way
and of the probable future Of the is
lands.
I have seen 10 years of wonderful
progress among these people he said
The Islands now hold 7,000.000 of Chris
tians, or civilized natives and 50G,0G1
of the hon-Christian. or those not yet
claimed from their semi savage state.
The islands are divided in the charge
of 40 district superintendents. all I'M
der the director of education. Frank
L. White, thus comprising a more cen
traIized and in my belief one of the
Nearly al! the first grades are with
Filipino teachers with the American
Instructors supervising or with High
school classes Il is the intention of
the BOARD of Education to give all
the students, Of from six to is years of
age, a primary school training of four
years rather than to give a more COM
prehensive education to a small num-
1,TY To-. . IL -.
High schools and Manila College, con-
sistine of the College of Agriculture
Medical Science, Liberal Arts. and, in
fact, the equal of many of our univer-
sites, remain. Tire greatest handicap
at the present time is the lack of
teachers, the average for each instruc-
tor being about - pupils: but this is
being gradually overcome. The schools
of today are constructed of reinforced
concrete and the hardest of native
woods. 1t is estimated that within 10|
years this type Of building will have
replaced those of native handiworl
The industrial training is of a very
superior sort, the pJpil beginning with
weaving of native materials especial
! ly the Burr palm, making hats, mats
baskets book covers, etc. The girls
also learn plain sewing, embroidery
and the making of handkerchiefs their
first saleabie articles. After three
years the boy takes up gardening the
advanced forms of bamboo and rattan
work, the girls going on to weaving
cloth, cooking end making garr1 4nts
| The boy after this has the opportunity
| to go to a trade school. The pupils
receive part of the sale price of
| their work. The academic work re-
sembles and rivals that of the Ameri-
can schools
1.-The work among the nom Christians
Is the most interesting and fertile in
results. Rice growing has been intro
duced and is proving successful while
the American sweet potato is rapidly
suppiantlng the native Camote. Beans
and coW-peas are finding growing fa-
Vor. with one school in Bokidnon in
the municipality of Kalasungay is 10
acres of very well cultivated land. at
another 40 acres are being worked by
the students of agriculture.
Athletics are rapidly becoming a
most important feature Of school life
and really making greatly for the ply
steal development Of the natives, at
the same time leading them from their
gambling and cock fighting While
football has proved too vigorous for
1.-THE climate, baseball and basketball
are played with surprising vim and
ifXpertness. School competition is Of