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him a more specialistic knowledge, a wider educational
experieme, greater administrative capacity, keener business
acumen or a deeper concern for the interests of the
University than Sir William. For twelve years he has been
building on its foundations and within its lay-out not any
edifice of bricks and mortar but the lives and careers of
hundreds of young men and women. He has confessed this
afternoon to a sense of frustration: and in that he testifies,
in part, to the discontent that is called, and rightly called,
divine. No good and true worker can ever rest satisfied
with his work.
multitude of difficulties and obstacles to contend against
none will doubt. Nobody realises defects in foundation, in
lay-out or in materials more than the master-builder, and the
appointment of my small Committee will provide the opportunity
for the master-builder to come forward and advise as an
architectural consultant for the University's future. Sir
William has confessed also to a sense of isolation.
But that our Vice-Chancellor has had a
So far
as contact with the British Universities is at present lacking or ineffective I am bold to prophesy that, when he is back home Sir William will personally achieve for us a proper and
effectual liaison. He will be, I am confident, this
University's apostle to England. But as regards the loss which his departure will spell for us in Hong Kong I can find
no words of comfort at all.
great men leave great gaps.
not only a great Vice-Chancellor but a very human one so that
the gap which he leaves will be a gap not only in the list of
Hong Kong's distinguished residents but in that inmost circle
of public friends which the Colony has taken warmly and
gratefully to its heart. He ended his address to us this
It is, alas, proverbial that
Sir William Hornell has been
afternoon with the sad word "Good-bye"; I refuse now to
anticipate our parting with him by returning that salutation,