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discuss them more fully in a personal interview at any time that His Excellency may desire.
The Honourable
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G.,
HO KAI.
WEI AYUK.
FUNG WA CHUN.
CHAN TUNG SHANG.
UEN LAI CHUN.
Lò KUN TENG.
S. W. Tso. WEL ON.
Colonial Secretary,
Enclosure No. 3.
NOTES ON ENCLOSURE No. 1 BY THE INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS.
With reference to the question whether such a school should be established. by the Government of Hongkong, the following three points must be settled :—
A. Is there any inherent objection to such a school on the ground that, while supported by general taxation, it would be for the benefit
of one class only?
B. If justifiable in principle, is it necessary?
C. If necessary, what kind of school should it be?
4. As I understand the matter, public funds may be devoted to any object that will add to the strength or wealth of the Colony: such objects are, the erect. tion of batteries and forts, public works, and the equipment of the rising genera- tion with knowledge and character enabling them to subserve the general welfare. Now, as to this last object, there is one section of the community perhaps of more vital importance than any other, and that is the members of the mechanical and engineering trades, the skilled British labour in the dockyards and manufac- tories, the engineers on local steamers and steam-tramways. They are the back- bone of the Colony in time of peace, and their professional knowledge would be a potent factor in its defence in war time. Many of them are already members of the Engineer and other Companies of the Volunteer Force.
I base my justification of such a school as is proposed principally on the good it would do the Colony, by strengthening this vitally important class. To justify its creation, such a school must shew itself an addition to the local and imperial armoury it is no question of granting a compassionate allowance to one section of the community, however deserving.
:
B.-There are in the Colony; according to the recent Census, 175 boys and 202 girls between the ages of 5 and 16. Few of these are children of the comparatively wealthy classes who can afford to live at the Peak. Most of them have parents of the professions above enumerated. To such parents there are three courses open.
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