1841-1886
PAPERS RELATING TO
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competition is for the studentships or scholarships given at Lincoln's Inn. Last year a young Chinaman born under the British flag in this Colony succeeded at that examination in defeating his competitors from the English, Scotch, and Irish Universities, and in three of the subjects of examination he obtained the first place. This was Mr. Ho Kai, one of the numerous Anglo-Chinese subjects that Her Majesty now has in this Colony. I think it is a matter we may all congratulate ourselves upon. That young gentleman, who has been called to the English bar, will return, I think, this month to the Colony, and I am sure you will all join with me in welcoming him back,
Chinese Benevolent Investments.
My attention has been called by the Chinese inhabitants to a plan by which wealthy Chinese in this Colony may put aside a certain portion of the money they make, investing it in such a way as to benefit their descendants and also to benefit the general community. This trust property would be administered by a certain number of the Chinese residents, perhaps those who under one of our Ordinances conduct so admirably the affairs of the Tung-Wa Hospital, and to that body of gentlemen will be given from time to time considerable sums by wealthy Chinese which will be invested by them, a certain portion, say seven-tenths, to be appropriated so as to benefit the descendants of the donors by giving them education, and in other ways, the remaining three-tenths to be devoted to the public interests of the Colony in general. A scheme of that kind, carefully elaborated, has been recommended to me by what I am justified in describing as the Chinese community of the Colony. I am disposed to give it the most favourable consideration, and I mention it now with satisfaction because it is a further indication of the real progress of Hong Kong. As long as these gentlemen, who, as you know, now represent not only the vast majority of ratepayers but the wealthiest ratepayers in the community out of the 20 largest ratepayers in 1881, 17 were Chinese (see table annexed)—as long as they desire to establish themselves and their descendants in the Colony for ever, so long we have a guarantee for loyalty and good order. On the whole, gentlemen, in opening the Legislative Session, 1882, I think we can all look forward, without anxiety, to the continued prosperity of the Colony.
THE ANTENYTIME
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