7713
Thurging.
March, 1893.
26th March.
Officer Administering the Govt.
:( William Sterry March 26th).
6
The Right Honourable
The Earl of Derby
Ecclesiastical Grants.
Transmits Petition relative to the continuance
of
To His Excellency
Cl.
RECD
REG & MAY 8TA
636
The Honourable J. H. Marsh, C.M.G.,
The Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong.
THE PETITION OF THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS
OF HONGKONG,
Sheweth,
That whereas the Right Honourable the late Secretary of State for the Colonies, in a despatch dated the 12th July 1881, announced to the Governor of the Colony that the system of grants for ecclesiastical purposes in this Colony would be gradually discontinued as the offices of the present recipients become vacant;
And whereas your Petitioners, who belong to all denominations of religion, are firmly convinced that it would be highly injurious to the real welfare of the Colony that this step should be taken;
Your Petitioners humbly beg that the decision which has been arrived at may be reconsidered, and that the Church of England as here established may continue in the enjoyment of the very moderate but necessary endowment which has hitherto been provided by the State, for the following reasons:
1. Because your Petitioners believe that the interests of religion amongst Christians generally would be injuriously affected, and that the change contemplated would inevitably lead to the discontinuance of many services, religious practices, and charities, now shared in by Protestants of every shade of opinion.
2. Because the expense of providing such a stipend as would induce a clergyman of sufficient education and ability to accept a position in a climate very trying to many constitutions, at such a distance from Great Britain, in addition to the present cost of maintaining the fabric of the Cathedral and the services, would be very heavy, and would fall upon the community under the following circumstances, which can hardly be overlooked.
(a.) With the exception of some few mercantile houses that contribute liberally to any unexpected demand upon the resources of the Church, the congregation is by no means wealthy; and even now it would be unable without such help to bear the necessary and incidental expenses; moreover, should the congregation be dispersed, as is not impossible on the withdrawal of the grant, it is not easy to see how such expenses would be defrayed.
(b.) The non-official portion of the congregation, not engaged in mercantile pursuits, is very fluctuating, and could not be expected to take any important part in the maintenance of a Church.
[1 Inclosure]