1.
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The traditions end history of this school
entitle its present request to serious consideration.
This was recognised by the Governor in his despatch
of 22. 1. 31., where he points out that the closing
down of the school would mean "not only a serious
loss to the community of educational facilities,
but also a set-back to British educational enterprise"
2. So far as I can make out, it is the only
aided secondary institution in Hong Kong in which
essentially British influence of the right type is
brought to bear on students not only from Hong Kong
but from China proper, in combination with Christian
religious influence. I doubt very much whether
any Government institution could do the same work
that is being done by this school.
3.
If the school were closed, the Government
would, I think, have eventually to support in its
place a school of their own, which would not be,
from the point of view of character training and
British influence, so effective, and would impose
a far heavier burden on public funds.
4.
It seems to me unlikely that the Diocesan
authorities in Hong Kong will ever accept the
proposal that has been made by the Government, which
is virtually to place a Government school, at present
badly situated and housed, on the site and in the
buildings now occupied by this school, and to give
the Diocese a chance of opening & school of quite
a different kind on a inferior site and in far
humbler buildings. This will naturally not appeal
to those who have subscribed considerable sums in
the past towards the maintenance and buildings of