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Blake stated that the opening of the school in Victoria was not a pressing necessity, but that it was probable that the growing needs of the population would in the near future render such a school desirable.
4.
The Petition which I now forward to you is largely signed by members, principally of the middle class, of the European population. The want which they emphasize is one that it is in my opinion desirable to supply, and the success that has attended the opening of the British School in Kowloon, where the number of pupils is now 59, furnishes a strong argument for giving similar facilities in Hongkong. I accordingly request your approval to my acceding to the Petition and pending the receipt of that approval am making the necessary provision in the Estimates for 1905.
5.
The Belilios Reformatory is not now available for use as a School. It is, as you are aware, being utilised as a Prison and it is not possible to disturb that arrangement until a new Gaol is constructed and for this funds cannot conveniently be provided at the present time. The Government School-house at Tung Lung Chau which is a little nearer the central part of Victoria than the Reformatory, can however be made available. Part of this building is at present used as a Vernacular School which Mr. May in his Despatch No. 165 of the 18th of April recommended should be closed, an Anglo-Chinese School being opened in its place. You approved this suggestion in your Despatch No. 179 of the 10th of June, and if you now sanction the opening of a British School in the building I propose that a floor of a Chinese house be rented in the neighbourhood for use as an Anglo-Chinese School.