February 10, 1902.]
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language, English literature and Eng ish methods of law and order and justice must in himself spread that knowledge outside, not oaly among his immediate friends and relations, not only in China, but throughout the whole world. And therefore it would seem to me that this Queen's College, of which really I am ashamed to say I was ignorant of a few days ago, supplies an extraordinary want not only in the Colony of Hongkong but throughout the whole of China. I therefore con- gratulate Dr. Wright and those under him for the way in which they have carried out their work, and I also congratulate all the pupils under them for the way in which they have accepted the instraction that has been afforded them by Dr. Wright and the other masters. The holidays, I am tall, begin to-day. I can only say that I wish you with my whole heart a happy holiday and that you may return to this College all happy and in good health; and I can only add that for the rest of my time in Hongkong I shall take a very warm interest in this College that has been kind enough to invite me to it to present the prizes to-day. (Applause.)
Dr. BATESON WRIGHT sail -Your Excel. lency, I am sure the kind address you have just given to the boys must have made a very great impression upon them, and I trust that some of the parents up in the galleries will pay attention to your remarks both as regards attendance and leav ing school. Here the unfortunate difficulty we have with Chinese parents is that they like their boys to go hom for every small family function, and this leads very often to an undue extension of their leave, almost without per- mission. This accounts for some of the lack of attendance of which your Excellency justly com. plained. I think also, as you remarked, that the plagne last year was considerably worse than in 1899 and this is probably another cause. I am sure we shall be very deeply indebted to you if we could see the gymnasium and the cadet corps assume any shape in the next few months. We are very much obliged to you, sir, for distribut- ing the prizes, and we shall not forget you kind attendance and remarks.. (Applauss.)
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. because I know he takes an immense interest the question of sports is mentioned very in educational subjects, and he has also generally in it, and I am very glad indeed to had opportunities greater than myself of learn from Dr. Wright that there has been a studying these subjects. But as I said on sensible improvement in this respect of late Friday at the Diocesan School I say here now
years. I believe that some years ago I think again, that your loss is my gain in that I am it was Mr. Muy who called attention to the able in this way, which I should not otherwise fact-the Chinese boys did not take very kindly be able to do, to learn something of the civil to outdoor games, bat I now learn that they administration of Hongkong, where I myself have a football and cricket club of their have received so much kindness and con- own, and that some of the Chinese boys sideration and where I have spent a very are in the First XI. I Can imagine happy time.
(Applause.) So that I very nothing that would bring about the good gladly accepted the invitation and looked feeling, the mutual feeling, which should upon it as
a great pride and privilege | exist between English boys and Chinese to come and present the prizes to-day to the boys than a matnal liking for outdoor sports, Queen's College. Now, Chinese students of (Applause). The question of a Gymnasium the Queen's College, I think the highest com- has been mentioned, I think I am right in pliment that a mau in my position coming here saying now that that practically which has to-day can pay to you, is to praise what is been so long desired will very shortly be an deserving of praise; and I am glad to say I accomplished fact--(applause) --and I shall hope, have read and seen and heard very much that is
even during my stay in Hongkong if it is deserving of high praise, but also I think that so. an ther year to find that there are some the highest complime.t to you is to point out really good gymnasts among you. (Applause.) any matters which I think are capable of And, now, as to the cadet corps which has improvement, and therefore I have made a been spoken about to me by Dr. Wright, note of one or two little matters which at
that was the first I had heard of it. As any rate struck me as a looker-on, and you Acting Governor, it has not reached me in know that the lookers-ou sometimes see most of any official form, and therefore I should scarcely the game.
I therefore thought you would like without knowing anything further about it welcome any little remarks that occurred to me. to express any definite opinion upon it this The first thing that struck me in reading and morning: but I can only say that if the matter hearing what I have done is that I should say reaches me in an official form, naturally it would it is of the utmost importance that boys who from me as a soldier receive the utmost sym- come here should have a thorough groundwork pathy, and I can promise at any rate that I will of Chinese education. (Applause) It would weigh it very carefully and give it my very appear to me that the utility of a man in after fullest consideration. (Applause.) I would like life is very greatly lessened if he has to tell you now what I dare sy a great many only got a certain proficiency in English of you know-but at any rate Ï can tell literature and language without a thorough you so-that there are a great number of groundwork of his own education to work up educational problems just now before the that knowledge of the English into a really Government. We are awaiting the report of useful addition to his life. (Applause.) Another the Educational Committee which was ordered point that struck me was that there is a
some months ago by Sir Henry Blake to sit, tendency-and I do not say that it is so-but it and he himself, and indeed I, in my short seems to me that there is a tendency on the period of doing his work, had been in com- part of many of the young men to leave this munication with the Secretary of State, Mr. College, and of the parents to take them away, Chamberlain. on the subject. He takes the when they have only got an insufficient very greatest interest in the matter, and I trust smattering of the work they have come that when the report of this Committee reaches to learn. I think that this is a very me I shall be in a position to make certain natural thing. It is exceedingly natural that recommendations which will be a benefit both to a young man who has devoted a certain time to the Chinese and to the non-Chinese pupils the study of the English language and of Eu. of all Government and grant-in-aid schools in glish literature in general should fancy that he Hongkong (Applause). And now, having has attained a higher proficiency in these matters spoken on the various points I had mentioned than he perhaps has done, and he is tempted to it only remains for me to congratulate wit, all turn the time he has spent into mony by going my heart Dr. Wright and Mr. May, whom Dr. into employment in civil life rather too soon Wright has referred to as having most success- perhaps. Well, if you will take it from me, fully called on his work during his absence on I think it is neither wise for himself leave, and, under him all the masters who must nor perfectly fair to the institution from
have certainly thrown into their work an which he has derived his knowledge. enormous amount of energy to have brought Taking the question of fairness to himself, about the excellent results which I have seen there is no doubt that if a man goes out from in the examination papers that have been this College with a mers smattering or in suf- submitted to me by Dr. Wright. I think we ficient grounding, when he gets outside the must all agree that it reflects the highest College he will very quickly lose the knowledge possible credit on those gentlemen for the way that he has got, and instead of raising himself— in which they must have conducted their raising his salary-and continuing to rise to business to have brought about such very sath higher flights he probably will either remain sta- factory results. And, now. students of the tionary or go back. I would therefore commend College, I congratulate you also. I congratulate that matter not only to yourselves but to your those who have been fortunate enough to win parents and guardians. (Applause.) Now there their prizes to-day, but I congratulate yon all is another matter which I think is capable of for the manner in which you have set yourselves improvement. I notice that the average atten- to work in this College. That is to my mind dance is capable of improvement. I took the I am only new to all this-it comes upon me more trouble to look over the figures, and in 1899 the or less in fact as a great susprise, I confess; for total numbers on the roll were 1,344 and the it seems to me a marvellous thing that Chinese average attendance was 897.
Last year the young men should be able to master in the total on the roll had greatly increased; it was short time they are able to do it in here, the works 1,483, and the average attendance was only 70 of Shakespeare and others of our great authors more-that is. 94. Well, I daresay, as Dr. Really I very much question if many of our Wright said in his report, the prevalence of English boys at home, given the same opportu- plague and the fear of plague may have some- nities, would be able in that time to master the thing to do with this. Still I think it is a point weeks of Confucius and Mencius. It strikes me that is deserving of attention and
as altogther marvellous that it should ba, aud it capable of improvement. Well, I have men- seems to me that the progress of the work done tioned the three points that occured to me in this College is of a very far-reachig kind, which I think were worthy of mention, and because not only does it extend to Hongkong, I now come to a great number of others not only do I learn that many of the young which struck me as being deserving of students who leave this College get into high all possible praise. The first thing that struck places in the merchant's offices in Hongkong me was your Yellow Dragon Magazine, which and in the Government offices and go on I get through your kindness and have got from higher to higher grades, not only is continually during my stay in Hongkong. this most important to Hongkong itself, It is au excellent Magazine and reflects the but it would seem to nie that every highest credit on all who edit it and corres- | man who leaves this College with સ pond with it. I am very glad to see that knowledge of English ways, and the English Wisp '-a collection of tuneful, easy-going
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Three cheers for the King and for General and Lady Gascoigne ended the proceedings.
DIOCESAN SCHOOL AND ORPHANAGE.
ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.
A most interesting ceremony took place in the Diocesan School and Orphanage on the 31st ult. in the annual presentation of P izes to the scholars by H. E. Major-General Gascoigne, K.C.M.G.. Acting Governor of the Colony. There was a large attendance of parents and friends, and amongst others present were-Hon. W. Meigh Goodman. K.C., and Mrs. Goodman, Dr. Atkinson. Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, Mr. A. Mackie, Mr. J. W. Hanson, Ven. Archdeacon Banister. Rev. R. F. Cobbold, Rev. C. Bone, Rev. J. II. France, Rev. T. Wright, Rev. D. Sutherland (Swatow). Rev. R. F. F. Gottschalk, and Rev. G. Goosmann. H. E. the A ajor- General, who was in full uniform, was accom- panied by Lady Gascoigne and Bishop Hoare, Captain Trefusis. A D. C. and Mr. B. F. Johnson. Private Secretary, being also of the party.
Bishop Hoare occupied the chair, being supported on his right by Major-General Gascoigno and оп his loft by Mr. G. Piercy, Jr., beadmaster of the Diocesan School and Orphanage. A pleasant little enter. tainment in the shape of a short programme of music had been arranged by Mr. F. G. Whitlock, one of the masters, and before the commencement of the ceremony of the day, the distribution of the prizes, the youthful choir, which has been trained by Mr. Whittock, sang · Soldier Boys." for which they were warmly applauded. Masters Eustace and Walter Hagon followed with Sons of the Sea," and the choir, joining in the chorus, added the final touch to a song rendered with great spirit and no inconsiderable merit. Major-General Gascoigne led off the hearty applause which greeted the young singers. Later on the choir gave a selection,
Merry Ditties," which included The Stately
Giraffe," The Little Girl of Nantucket,”
The Man of Edmonton," and "Will o' the