1:44°
END
problem and to have their sum- ming up of the position and their advice regarding it before we con- sider the expensive proposition of obtaining outside opinion which, however expert on the subject of University organization, would not be expert in regard to the special circumstances and requirements of the Far East.
The gentlemen who will be in- vited to serve on the Committes will be the Honourable Mr. N. L. Smith, Colonial Secretary, the Honourable Sir Shouson Chow, Mr. J. R. Masson and Mr. A. Morse, Treasurer of the University. The membership is small, because I do not believe in unwieldy commit- tees, but the Committee will take the evidence of all who respond to its invitation or volunteer to ap- pear before it.
And this brings me to a very sad part of my address, for, al- though the new year has only just begun, the long depressing shadow of an
event that will mark its close already falls across this University. That event will be the departure on leave prior to his retirement of our Vice-Chancellor, Sir William Hornell. Of all who come forward to assist the Com- mittee of which I have just spoken nobody will bring with him a more specialistic knowledge, a wider educational experience, greater ad- ministrative capacity, keener busi- ness 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 confess- ed this afternoon to a sense of frustration; and in that he testi- fies, in part, to the discontent that is called, and rightly called, divine. No good and true worker
can
6
ever rest satisfied with his work. But that our Vice-Chancellor has had a 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 ad- vise as an architectural consultant for the University's future.
Sir William has confessed also to sense of isolation. So far as contact with the British Univer- sities 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
to University's apostle England But as regards the loss which his departure will spell for us in Hong Kong I can find no words of com- fort at all.
It is, alas, proverbial that great men leave great gaps. Sir William Hornell has been 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 dis- tinguished residents but in that inmost circle of public friends which the Colony has taken warm- ly and gratefully to its heart.
his He ended
address to us with this afternoon
the sad word "Good-bye"; I refuse now to anticipate our parting with him by returning that salutation but, at this his last Congregation and on behalf of all present, I will con- clude my remarks by addressing to him two words, two simple little words which can nevertheless be charged with all our infinity of obligation, admiration and affec- tion towards him: Thank you, Sir William.