CHINESE STUDENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2650, 6 July 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

CHINESE STUDENTS.

The lot of the students who compete for the decree of Hsiu Ts'al appears from tiie accounts in the Chincss papers to be anything but a happy one. Day by day (says the Daily News of the Ist May), as the unworthy or unfortunate drop out of the ranks, those whose names are inscribed daily on tho black boards hung up in the hall as not yet liors de coinhat dwindle in number, till thousands became represented by two figures, and the final struggle lies between some 30 or 40 candidates. During the examinations no one, it appears, is allowed to move from his position. If one is seized with serious illness ho may request to bo carried out, but in that case he cannot return. A student, wo arc told, who should venture merely to rise in his seat and look round would receive 10.3 blows on the hand, be compelled to kneel during the rest of tho examination, and at the close be ejectcd with disgrace. At one examination n violent rain came on, and the roof of tho hall " leaked like a sieve,'' so that tho candidates, as well as their papers, were soaked. Yet still they were obliged to remain rivetted to their seats in nil unwholesome atmosphere. At tho last autumn examinations it was officially reported that over 100 persons d ied in the quarters of epidemic diseases. On tko same occasion one of the examination buildings fell in, by which several persons were killed. The expenses of tho Chancellor's examination to those who pass are stated to be the same as those who fail ; besides which the fees and gratuities appear to be endless. The underling receive presents to the amount of several dollars, the " board hangers" must be rewarded with a few hundred cash, &c. As soon as the candidate is known to have " entered," a strip of red paper is prepared, announcing this fact, and a messenger is posted off to tho graduate's homo. For this service, a fee of several thousand cash is expected ; and so forth. For the successful, however, there are compensations. On receipt of the joyful announcement relatives and friends far and wide are expected to pay visits of congratulation, bringing presents, which reimburse the fortunate bachelor, and sometimes leave him a handsome balance. Severe and protracted though tho competition is, the successful candidate receives, it seems, no official diploma. If his right to tho title is disputed, the authorities rely on a severe cross examination regarding the year of graduation, the name of the examiner and the questions propounded. A case is cited of a man who in a cross examination of this sort personated his own brother—the fact being, as was afterwards shown, that he i was himself in gaol on a charge of mur- i dor at the very moment wheu he profess- i ed to have been tasting the joys of an ; examination for the much coveted honor i of the pewter button. i