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FUNG LAN TSUI, a student then came forward and in the name of the students of St. Stephen's College said he had much pleasure in handing His Excellency a silver trowel.
The GOVERNOR accepted the trowel with an oxpression of thanks.
Thereupon Bishop LANDEB said that it would be his privilege to make a few remarks later, laut he felt they must congratulate the the Warden, council, and masters of tho college on the progress of their work. He added that No one had taken a greater interest in the college than His Excellency and they were thankful to have him with them that day.
The box of records having been inserted, His EXCELLENCY laid the stone, using for the pur- pose the silver trowel with whish he had been presented. At the close he said "I declare this stone well andtruly laid.' This was followed by applause.
[January 18, 1909.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Excellency's timely effort in this direction will to see happen. I little thought that thes meet with the speedy success it deserves. When | would have the result that they had. paper plans have materialised into University Within a few days our generous fellow buildings, we trust it will be recognised that citizen, Mr. Medy, informed me that he had the hinese gentlemen who are raising this read the words I had used here, and that present building, have, in so doing, not only the project struck him as a most excellent and exhibited a public spirit. as benefactors of sound one, and he was prepared to come forward the Colony, but have also contributed and present buildings fully adequate for the in no small degree to those wider educa- needs of a university whatever the cost might tional plans in which WO are all inter- be (applause). Since that time we have carried ested. We believe further, that this College, on negotiations with the Hongkong College of when called upon, will be found ready and able Medicine which I wish to incorporate in the to fulfil whatever part may be allotted it in university, and meetings have been held at assisting to carry through a sound scheme of Government House to discuss how the project suitable education for the rising generation of the might be fulfilled. In a word the position to- great nation for which St. Stephen's exists. It day is that Mr. Mody's offer remains open for has therefore been both a privilege and a special six months, and if at the end of that period an pleasure to invite Your Excellency in the name adequate endowment fund is in sight he will of the College Council and of parents and commence to erect the buildings. I hope to guardians of our students to attend this import- morrow to issue a paper which I have drawn ant function of laying the foundation stone of up in the form of an appeal stating the the south wing of St. Stephen's College. objects and the scope of the university, and (Applause.)
asking all to help to raise the endowment fund. The project of a university is one which is very important to this college. hope that St. Stephen's will provide many of the under- graduates for the Hongkong university. They will be able to complete their education. Many, perhaps, who would not be able to go to England would be able to gain similar education here, and others would be able to enter upon amversity course Without being exiled. in a foreign country for a long period of years. The project will always remain associated in my mind with St. Stephen's College, because it was here that the first words were spoken which led to the scheme taking practical thought. Ladies and gentle- men, I have been tempted into what really is somewhat of a digression on the subject of this university in consequence of the allusion to it by the Warden in the address he has delivered, but my presence here to-day is primarily The company then adjourned to the temporary to lay the foundation for the extension building where His Lordship the Bishop of the buildings of this college. In the presided. He explained that the Chinese first place I must thank you most heartily, juscription on the foundation stone was as the students and boys of St. Stephen's, iollows: Church Missionary Society This for the beautiful trowel which you stone was laid by His Excellency Sir Frederick given me and which came altogether as 8 Lugard, K.C.M.G., Governor of Hongkong, 8th surprise to me and which will always remain January, 1909. The entire cost of the erection in my home in England as a momento of to-day of this south wing of St. Stephen's ollege (applause). In the the second place I must say was borne by parents and guardians of the with very great regret my wife is unable to be studouts.
here to-day, as she would have wished, because she is lying seriousky ill, and has been in a somewhat dangerous condition for the last few days. She would have, had it been possible, desired very much to be present to-day and to witness the laying of the foundation stone. I congratulate you most heartily on the public spirit and generosity, which has enabled you to raise the subscriptions without appealing to mission funds for the extension of these buildings. I am glad to hear in the report that Has been read that a portion of the buildings is to be devoted to residential quarters for boarders. The aim of the founders of this college was to develop the character of the boys and not merely to train their intellects and, in my opinion, as I have said before, since I have been in the colony there is no way in which that can be better done than by having boarders in the schools who can mix in the daily intercourse of social life with the masters and staff and where they can be influenced for good in all their relations in life. I am confident that the tone of St Stephen's will always remain a pride and a pleasure to those who take an interest in the school and to those who have contributed to the funds. My Lord Bishop, ladies and gentlemen, 1 most earnestly and heartily wish you success. Success to the new wing which we have inauguarated to-day, succcess to St Stephen's College on its wider basis when the wing is completed and the College can grow to its full dimensions (applause).
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won not a few friends for the College, and during his furlough in England the Warden was able to interest many members of the Society in its welfare. On his return to Hong- kong, in September last, a committee of Chinese gentlemen was at once formed for the purpose of raising funds, consisting of parents and guardians of scholars, having Mr. Lai Kwai Put as chairman, Mr. S. W. Ts'o as secretary, and Mr. Chau Siu Ki as treasurer, with the direct assistance of the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, and other gentlemen. The secretary and treasurer of the building fund, together with the mem- bers of committee have gratuitously devoted much time to our project. The present plans include the erection of a three-storied building; providing masters' quarters, suitable accommo- dation for vover thirty boarders, dining hall, assembly hall, and offices. Mr. Lai Kwai Pui by a generous gift of 85,000 set an example of liberality which assured success to our under- taking. (Applause.) Other gentlemen have readily followed with subscriptions as under :- Mr. Lai Kwai Pui, $5000; Mr. Cheung Sam Woo, $1,000; Mr. Lo Cho Shan, $1000; Mr. Lau Po Tsun, $1,000; Mr. Chia Yu Tin, $500; Mr. Ng Li Hing, $500; Mr. Wong Shiu Tong. $500; Mr. Yue Yeak Laan, 8500; Mr. Yung Yik Ting, $500; Mr. Chau Tung Shen, 8500 Mr. Fung Chun Yuen, $500; Mr. Lo Man Leung and Bros, $500; Mr. Leung Hin Cho, $500; Mr. Ng Pak To, $500; Mr. Ip Hok Ling, $500; Dr. Wan Tun Mo, $400; Mr. Chau Sig Ki, $300; Mr. Wong Fa Nung. $300; Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, $200; Mr. S. W. Tso, $200: Mr. Mok Tso Chun. $200; Mr Choong Wo Hin. $200. These figures do but emphasise what wo already kuow-the ready liberality of our Chinese follow-citizens when they are invited to supply substantial evidence of their interest in any movement which commends itself to their judgment. Donors to the building fund also secure the right to nominale near relations for vacancies as they occur. Such nominees do not receive any financial advantage; but on admis sion they will be given preference over the sous of non-subscribers-a privilege appreciated at present, and one likely to increase in value in the near future. The motive underlying these gifts therefore is not that of charity. Friends of the College recognise that it is the duty of every man to provide for the education of his own children. From the beginning students of St. Stephen's have paid fees sufficiently high to meet the whole expense of the working of the His EXCELLENCY said:-My Lord Bishop, ollege, with the exception of the Warden's ladies and gentlemen, last year about this time, stipend. Instead therefore of asking the Church when I had the pleasure and privilege of Missionary Society to spend large sums of money distributing the prizes at St. Stephen's ollege upon buildings, parents and guardians have your Warden, the Rev. Barnett, was absent on come forward with promises to furnish the cost leave in England: We are glad to welcome him of erecting a new wing to the College to enable back amongst us and to see him again at the us to fulfil our obligations to the students with scene of his successful work in this college. more satisfaction to ourselves and to them is place was taken for the time being by the None the less we, on our part; recognise the Venerable Archdeacon Banister, who, perhaps generous spirit which animates our benefactors
more than any other man, may claim to be the and we greatly appreciate this mark of their founder of St. Stephen's ollege. We have to confidence in our educational methods of which deplore his absence to-day, for he has gone home! they have now had six years' experience. The for a well-earned rest after many years of hard College Council is glad to have this oppor- work in the Far East. It may be that his tunity of publicly thanking them ono and health and advancing years may render. it all for the sympathy and encouragement necessary for him to remain in England. If so received from the beginning, and it wishes to this colony will lose a very devoted and able man add to those already mentioned the name of still and this college especially will lose an indefatigu- another eastwhile friend, no longer with us, able friend who has, since its inception, been Mr. Wei On, whose name is perpetuated in the always ready to assist and help in every way in Wei On Scholarship. This fulcrum of parental his power. We hope, however, we may see him confidence and appreciation has rendered our back amongst us, and if he comes he will task of raising St. Stephen's College compara inaugurate, as I may say, the second phase of tively easy. Nay more, it has incited us to the existence of St. Stephen's College. For with responsive sympathy and exertion, with the the extension of the buildings, the foundation happy result that to-day we stand side by side, stone of which I have had the pleasure of united in one purpose, viz:-the education of laying, St. Stephen's College may be said to Chinese youth on liberal li es, to meet modern enter upon the second phase of its existence. requirements, with the fabric of our educa- I hope and trust that the second phase may tional system for character-building based be no less successful and even more upon the fear of God' which is the begin- successful than the first phase has ning of wisdom.' Chinese gentlemen have all been. (applause). Your warden in the along given such valuable suggestions in every address which he has just delivered alluded to movement towards advance that the ouncil hopes the subject of the University for Hongkong. to secure the advantage of their continued advice It was on this platform-a year ago that I gave in the further development and management expression to the thoughts which were in my of the College. The College Council heartily mind on this matter. I said how much I should❘ welcomes the proposal for a University in Hong-like to see Hongkong set an example to the kong. Three years ago we drew attention to the new need arising in our midst for those Chinese students who wished to continue their studies at home, and to specialise in certain branches of learning. We feel sure that your
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various colonies in the East and establish a university in this colony. I confess that when I used those words I had very little idea that I should ever see them fructify or that it was any more than a dream of what I should wish
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The WARDEN having read the report which dealt with the progress of the ollege
BISHOP LANDER addressed the assembly, He said he Was sure they would all agree with him in congratulating the Warden on the excellent report he had just read. He felt that they were mak- ing history that day. His Excellency's re- marks made last year had so fructified that a university had almost come into sight. Here- membered something he had said twelve months ago that he had dreamt of a new building for