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which tended to its welfare he has ever been ready to do. His promotion is thoroughly well-deserved, but his place as Rector will be very difficult to fill. We sincerely wish Mr. Lockhart every happiness in his new sphere of usefulness, and we doubt not that before many years have passed we shall hear of his further promotion in the public service of his King and country. (Applause.) Speaking on behalf of present students of the College, Mr. Ho Ko Taun said—Your Excellency and gentlemen, in the remarks contained in the speech so eloquently delivered by Dr. Kwan King Leang on behalf of past students of the College I heartily concur, but on behalf of myself and on behalf of my fellow-students now prosecuting their professional studies in the College, I am desirous of making some additional observations. No one can appreciate as we do the great services which have been rendered to the College by Mr. Lockhart. As its Rector he neglected no means and opportunities of increasing its efficiency, he always had the welfare of the students at heart, and everything likely to benefit the profession had due and careful consideration. We scarcely know how to express to Mr. Lockhart our obligations and thanks, but we can assure him that our gratitude is both deep and sincere, and we shall long cherish his memory in our hearts; and our best wish is, that wherever Mr. Lockhart goes he and his may have perfect happiness, good health, and prosperity. (Applause)
Mr. STEWART LOCKHART, whose rising was greeted with prolonged applause, and who replied at great length, expressed his appreciation of the complimentary remarks that had been made concerning himself. He thanked His Excellency for being present and taking such an active part in the proceedings, thereby showing his sympathy with the Chinese College of Medicine. With regard to the kind sentiments which had been expressed and also embodied in the address, he could only say that coals of fire had been heaped on his head, because, as far as the institution was concerned, any prosperity that had attended it was not due to him, but to the staff, past and present, of doctors and students. Therefore, when he said that coals of fire had been heaped on his head, he meant that he was being given credit and praise for that which he had not done. That credit and that praise must be awarded to the lecturers and professors who had attended at the College and laboured without the least hope of reward, actuated solely and simply by a desire to further the interests of the profession of which they were such distinguished ornaments. To them, continued the speaker, thanks was chiefly due for having encouraged and carried on the College of Medicine over a period of fifteen years.
Dealing with the career of the College since its formation in 1887 by Dr. Manson, when, curiously enough, said Mr. Stewart Lockhart, His Excellency's predecessor in office, Major-General Wilsone Black, C.B., who then also occupied the position of Major-General Gascoigne to-day, that of the Officer Administering the Government of this Colony, occupied the chair, he said that the institution had had its struggles, as had been anticipated. Chief of these was the want of a local habitation, but one gentleman kindly came forward and undertook to provide a building if a sufficient endowment could be found. Unfortunately, however, no endowment was forthcoming, but the College was not discouraged, and carried on its good work. Now the Government had at last recognised the value of that work, and in this year's Estimates was inserted a sum which would give a slight honorarium to those engaged in the work. It must not be supposed that this honorarium was anything like a meet reward for such services, but it was an indication that the Government recognised and appreciated the labours of the institution.
Besides granting this sum in the Estimates, the Government had also undertaken to establish a dispensary in the western part of the city, in charge of which would be placed one of the diplomates of the College of Medicine for Chinese. This, everybody would agree, was a step in the right direction, especially in view of the known antipathy in the Chinese to Western treatment. Continuing, he expressed the hope that the College would have a brilliant future. It had had and was still having many difficulties to face, not the least of which, as had already been said, was the want of a local habitation. The institution was filling a very great want in the Colony, and it would be remembered that during a discussion some time ago in the Sanitary Board, it was mentioned that it would be an excellent thing if graduates of the College could be obtained to instruct the native community in sanitary matters. There was not a sufficient number of students at present for that purpose, but it was probable that in the future they would be greatly useful in helping the Government in the direction indicated.
As matters stood at present, students who had qualified in the College were immediately employed by the Straits Settlements Government to the Colonial Secretary of which Mr. Stewart Lockhart said he had written asking if his Government would be disposed to join in a scheme with the Government of this Colony to establish a College in which the lecturers would be as at present volunteers willing to give their services without hope of reward. No answer had yet been received from the Straits Settlements, but he trusted that it would be a favourable one, because it would considerably lessen the difficulty of establishing a proper College, as the Straits Settlements would then join with this Government in sharing the expenses of the institution.
After thanking Dr. Kwan King Leung and Ho Ko Tsun for their eulogistic references to himself, Mr. Stewart Lockhart addressed the students in words of advice and encouragement, and said he trusted that in the future they would use every effort to maintain the high reputation of the College of Medicine for Chinese. He once again thanked everyone for what had been said regarding himself, and his only regret was that he felt he in no way deserved it. (Loud applause.)
Dr. HO KAI—I rise with great pleasure to propose a vote of thanks to His Excellency, who has been so kind to all of us as to come here to-day and preside over us, thus showing, as has been remarked, his sympathy with the institution with which we all have the honour of being associated. (Loud applause.)
His EXCELLENCY—Gentlemen, I beg to thank you with my whole heart for having so kindly received the mention of my name. It was a very great pleasure, believe me—in fact, I consider it a great honour—to have been asked to come and preside here gives me another opportunity of expressing the great sense of obligation I feel I am under to Mr. Lockhart for the able and loyal co-operation with which he has worked with me during the time—a very short time—I have had the high honour of administering the Government. Up to the time of my coming to that high office, I had only known Mr. Lockhart in pleasant, social intercourse, but since I have worked with him I have recognised the loyal desire he has not only to do his duty by his immediate chief, but to do his duty thoroughly in the interests of the Colony, and I therefore would venture to take the opportunity of thanking him for his loyal ...