inter alia: "It is hardly within my competence, speaking from the point of view of the educationist, to enter into any discussion on this latest decision of the Government, but I cannot refrain from an expression of very sincere regret for so radical a change in policy and one that is so much opposed to the spirit which prompted my offer of the school to the Colony.........It will be remembered that I attached the utmost importance to the stipulation that no distinction should be drawn as regards either the nationality or creed of any scholar applying for admission to the Kowloon school.............On the other hand I have no desire that my gift should be hedged in by conditions not capable of reasonable modification. I am prepared therefore though with very much reluctance, to yield to the request of the Government to waive my original condition to the extent desired, I do so, however, on the definite understanding that the Government, on their part, undertake to appoint for the new Yaumati school for Chinese, at least one properly qualified English master and to maintain the standard of education there on the same level as that in the Kowloon School for European children."-
The authorities did not take long to reach a decision, for on the following day a letter was despatched to Mr. Tung, thanking him for his letter, and accepting his conditions.
It should be pointed out that the Kowloon School had actually been built before the correspondence detailed above passed between the Government and Mr. Ho Tung. The foundation stone had been laid by the Governor, Sir Henry Blake, on July 20, 1900.
On Saturday, April 19, 1902, the Kowloon School (it was not known as the Central British at that time) was officially opened by the Officer Administering the Government, Major-General Sir W.J. Gascoine in the presence of a large gathering which included Mr. Ho Tung and his family, the Chief Justice (Hon. Mr. W. Meigh Goodman), Sir Thomas Jackson, Hon. Mr. T.H. Whitehead, Hon. Mr. R.O. Murray Rumsey, Hon. Mr. C.P. Chater, Commodore Robinson, and a host of high Government officials and prominent business men.
In opening the proceedings, the Rev. T.W. Pearce said that in an early period in the history of Hongkong, certain educational facilities had been placed within reach of all; and the school system established then had been maintained and improved in a manner creditable to all concerned in its working.
In handing over the school to the Officer Administering the Government, Mr. Ho Tung said he was pleased that a satisfactory compromise had been arrived at. 'There can be no doubt," he said, "that the ultimate issue of this compromise will be the better education of the Chinese on the peninsula."
Sir William Gascoine made a long speech, praising the generosity of Mr. Ho Tung. He referred briefly to the great progress made in Kowloon and prophesied a bright future for it.
The first headmaster of the Kowloon School was Mr. B. James, B.A. of Oxford. Messrs. Falmer and Turner were the architects for the building.