1924-02-16 — Page 5

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16 1824.

EDUCATION IN HONGKONG.

MR. IRVING LOOKS BACK..

SOME NOTABLE LOCAL CHANGES.

Retiring Director's Interesting Reminiscences.

"If anybody had told me twenty-three years ago that a Chinese football team could have beaten a team of British bluejackets. I should simply have laughed."

The Hon. Mr. E.A. Irving, Direc- tor of Education, who bids fare- well to the Colony next Saturday to enjoy a well earned retirement i England, was in reminiscent mood when seen by a "China Mail" representative yesterday. He has had an enviable experi- ence in the life of Hongkong particularly in his own sphere, watching with eager eyes the growth of an educational system which is now second to none in the Far East.

Comparative Estimates. During his twenty-three years with the Education Department there have been many outstand ing events in the history of the Colony's education, events which are landmarks in Mr. Irving's career. In a department which in 1900, estimated its needs at

THE CHINA MAIL..

NEW RENTS BILL.

PREVENTING NEEDLESS

RECONSTRUCTION.

ORDINANCE AMENDMENT.

WASTING COLONY'S BUILD- ING RESOURCES.

With the object of preventing the reconstruction of houses which are in a substantially good cordi- Another marked change during tion, a bill to amend further the Mr. Irving's regime, was in the Rents Ordinance will be introduc system of teaching English to ed at the next meeting of the Legislative Council. The new the recon- Chinese. The old method of teach bill states that ing the language confined to read-struction of houses which are ing and writing was a slow and in a reasonably good condition is a painful process. Students were wasteful use of the building taught to read and write but were generally unable to understand when spoken to. Now they were taught colloquial English and

showed much better results.

The Staffs' Shortage, The Education Department, continued Mr. Irving, met with a serious obstacle during.and after the war. The staffs were hard to fill and most of the schools were hard hit. During recent years, however, this difficulty has been

OUR SOCIAL EVIL.

HONGKONG AGAIN ATTACKED. VISCOUNTESS ACTOR'S MEDDLING

VITAL FACTS SHE IGNORES. SINGAPORE'S TERRIBLE EXAMPLE. (Special to the China Mail.)

Ordure is a most unpleasant word, a revolting epithet; yet attacks she has gone much fur there are people who do not ther now in openly charging the hesitate to apply it to fellow Colony with regulated prostitu beings, as Bernard Shaw found tion," a term which can only lead out when he first staged Mrs the ignorant at Home to suppose Warren's Profession." These are that Hongkong officials encour accepti the evil. the people who "abandon all self- age, or at the very least com- restraint under the impression placently resources of the Colony, even

that they are upholding virtue. Nothing could be more fanciful where the reconstruction provides There are others, who snivel about Our officials here must deplore it additional door area; and in some unfortunate women," whom just as much as the most soaring they sensitively describe as idealist, but with this vital differ cases the floor area is reduced, Such reconstruction necessarily belonging to "a certain class." ence they are fully conversant involves a temporary reduction in the domestic accommodation of Again there are those who hold with local conditions, which Vis- the Colony, and it is against the widely whispered. view that countess Astor and her tribe are the spirit of the Rents Ordinances.it-prostitution is an indispens- not. But one hardly reeds to Reconstruction is dealt with able safety valve for the protec have the thorough knowledge our countess Astor's own Plymouth or at present in section 4 (1) (1) at tion of domestic virtue. And officials possess to know that few Ordinance No. 14 of 1922. That there are the few who face the other large cities, not even Vis can recover possession. in order

London town, conduct their in- évitable "social evil with greater paragraph provides that a lessor facts.

order and propriety than does to reconstruct upon giving three provided that the notice, is accom-

ties her terderity in attacking Hongkong into an impertinence.

$75,000 and increased it, twelve- surmounted, one of the schools months notice to the tenant, from prejudice, wilful or blind. Hongkong a fact which magni.

fold in 1924 to $900,000, Mr. Irving has seex the remarkable expansion of a system which had

which has greatly benefitted being panied by a certificate from the the Central British, which, added Building Authority to the effect Mr. Irving, "has now as strong that the intended reconstruction a staff as any in the Colony and will be such as to make the build been greatly due to his efforts.

When Mr. Irving came to Hong-was progressing in a way which ing a new building within the Long there were five principal was making it one of the most meaning of Ordinance No. 1 of 1003. The present bill proposes to schools; Queen's College. St. promising of institutions.

Referring to the success of the enact that the notice to quit shall Joseph's, the Diocesan, and the French and Italian Convents. Technical Institute Mr. Irving not be valid unless the certificate Twenty-three years developments paid a tribute to Mr. E. Ralphs of the Building Authority which is can be more cloquently, told in the Inspector of Schools, who, he served with it contains also a state- figures. The students in British said, had worked most energeti-ment to the effect that the intended 'schools in 1901 numbered 2,000 cally and had been responsible for reconstruction is desirable. Clause 3 of the bill provides that the and in the vernacular schools its rapid development.

The physical education of the certificate is not to be given unless 4,500. In 1922 those figures leapt to 13,700 for British Schools and Chinese students in the early the Building Authority is of 25,000 in the vernacular schools, days of Mr. Irving's career in opinion that the condition of the In 1900 there were only 12 Euro Hongkong was virtually ignored. domestic tenement in question is to make the intended

desirable. An pean teachers, now there were 79, Chinese parents were antagonistic such as said the Director of Education. to their sons and daughters in-reconstruction Chinese masters totalled 23 indulging in the "improper" West-appeal is provided to the Governor 1909 but this year there were 135ern games, and as Mr. Irving, in Council. On such appeal the laughingly added, "if anybody Governor in Council will have an The Chief Difficulty.

had said then that I should have unfettered discretion and will not been seeing a Chinese troop of be limited to the consideration of order to incer such Girl Guides, I would have hon the condition of the building.

Here. This is in estly, laughed at them." the Mr. Irving referred to the good special cases as the erection of a werk being done by Miss Wog of large modern building on the site of several small and old houses, or the St. Paul's Girls' School in this the fresh development and laying direction.

out of an entire block.

"Our principal difficulty all through," said Mr. Irving, "has lain in the absence of sufficient

10 meet accommodation

rapidly increasing demands for pinces in the schools, and as re- gards the vernacular educational system. there has been the dim- culty of getting trained teachers, But a great deal has been done in this respect in the latter years" added Mr. Irving.

Anyone can grasp the facts once they have freed their minds

Bernard Shaw himself, even when he is bitteres against the condi tions which make prostitution prevalent does not overlook the fact that those conditions are the direct outcome of our social system and will remain just so long as our social system con- tinuea unchanged; just so long (in his own words) as poverty makes

virtue hideous.

Unfortunately we are not told the outcome of her question in the Commons, yesterday's cable merely stating that it was re- ferred to the Colonial Secretary With him the matter, now rests. If he adopts the wise polley laid down by his predecessor a likely course since he is a sensible man

Before this implacable fact he will leave the problem to the even those nobler souls who be "men on the spot," who after all lieve rightly or wrongly-that must be given some small credit mankind will yet achieve mastery for applying local knowledge and over its desires, are dumb, know-experience which no outsider-not ing that women, economically, even the impetuous Viscountess- dependent," very often have only can hope to possess. Should the two choices"the white lead Hon. Mr. J. R. Clyifes, however, factory where Jane was poison- allow himself to be wheedled or ed," and the easy, luxury of the bullied into interference from dis- young lady in Thomas Hardy's tant. London, then the only poem who was "ruined.".

thing Hongkong can expect is a Consequently while existing repetition of Singapore's dreadful- social conditions continue and experience. not even the most zealous Labour

According to the report issued Government can alter human by the Government's special medi nature-persecuting prostitutes cal committee, after hearing evi, and abolishing brothels simply dence from thirteen doctors, mean tinkering with the problem, Singapore's conditions are appal- if not actually inviting still fing. Following the abolition of the brothels, the bulk of the As Mr. Irving said in a farewell

Clauses 2 and 3 of the bili stand-greater evils. speech at the Satyingpun. Schooling alone, would apply only to

resident population is becoming recently, when he is settled down notices to quit given after the com-

increasingly riddled with veneral at home he will look back with mencement of the new Ordinance,

disease while the condition of happy memories of Hongkong but it is considered desirable that

affairs among the middle class He confessed to our the restriction proposed in the bill

Chinese is already terrible." Speaking of the changes in the Schools,

enough the only educational life of Hongkong, representative that he did not should be applied also to notices

Ironically Mr. Irving said that the opening know exactly where he was going to quit given before the commence

remedy the medical men can see of the University had effected a to find his little home, but he did ment of the new Ordinance and

is in that hated "regulated pro- marked, difference in the advance intend getting a comfortable cot-still unexpired at its commence-

stitution" which the Viscountess tage with a garden where he could ment. Clause 4, therefore, provides

Astor is so anxious to have indulge in his horticultural hobby that every notice to quit given be

abolished here! and live in the memory of old fore the commencement of the Orattacks against the Colony but it acquaintanceship of Hongkong. dinance under section 4(1)(/) of the Our readers will join with us in principal Ordinance which is still wishing Mr. Irving many happy unexpired at the commencement of the new Ordinance shall be years of retirement.

invalid unless a certificate that the intended reconstruction desir able is obtained from the Building Authority during the currency of the three months notice to quit. An appeal to the Governor fa Council is also provided in this case Owners of property who have already given notices to quit for the purpose of reconstruc tion should observe that their

will be invalid notices

of Chinese scholarship. Chinese were taking full advantage of the opportunities of higher education which could be seen in the fact that since the inauguration of the University over 800 students had passed the Matriculation Senior Examination and nearly 1,300 the Junior, up to 1922.

EMPIRE SQUADRON.

ABUNDANT

SINGAPORE

HOSPITALITY.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

SINGAPORE, February 15.

the sporting events.

However, there was abundant hospitality ashore and afloat. An impressive march of the naval brigade 1,700 strong took place to-day.

ENGINEER'S BALL

LAST NIGHT'S BRILLIANT SUCCESS.

"The Hon. Mr. Irving leaves on the ss. "Morea" next Saturday.

THE GOLF CLUB.

PREVIOUS RESOLUTIONS

CONFIRMED.

10-

At an extraordinary meeting of the members of the Royal Hong-less they can obtain the neces" certificate either from The First Light Cruiser Squad-kong Golf Club, held in the Board sary ron leaves for Australia on Sunday Room of Messrs. Jardine Matheson the Building Authority of fron the after a week largely spoilt by & Co., last evening the resolutions Governor in Council, before the ly, any owners whose notices will continuous rain interfering with adopted at the Meeting on January three months expires. According

28 were confirmed.

The first resolution increased be on the point of expiring at the the entrance fee from $30.10 $50,time when the Ordinance will and the second dealt with the probably come into force if it is suspension of members. It gave the passed would be well advised to Committee power to suspend any make application before-hand for member from the use of the Club the necessary certificate, so that for any period not exceeding six the Building Authority may be.in. months, but with liberty for the a position to issue the certificate. in Committee to terminate such time. No doubt there are cases in the Building Authority suspension at their discretion which provided that no member be would be quite prepared to give suspended unless a resolution the certificate... The Engineers Ball, as the shall have been passed by a annual celebration of the Institu- majority of at least two thirds of tion of Engineers and Shipbuil the members of the Committee. ders has come to be known, pas-If the conduct of any member is sed off at the City Hall last night likely to endanger the character or with its customary brilliancy, good order of the. Club, it is Greenery and bunting in gay provided that an extraordinary profusion, illuminated crests, and general meeting shall be called a tasteful display of flowers come for the purpose of considering bined to make an effective expulsion,

The Captain of the Club (MF. setting in which upwards. of 800. revellers spent the merriest of J. B. Ross) presided over the meet- ing, and was supported by Messrs evenings,

A capital supper was served in A. B Stewart, L. 5 Greenhill, the Theatre where the guests of H. Ferguson, H. U. Ireland and honour joined the President (Mr. S. H. S. Hill (Secretary), Baker) at a table arranged horse shoe fashion on the stage. The Hongkong Hotel did the catering and their orchestra furnished the excellent dance music. Refresh ment bars were to be found down stairs and an innovation was the providing of a special card room for the use of His Excellency the | Governor who attended with Lady Stubbs.

STOP PRESS.

STEAMER INQUIRY.

The Guding of the Court of Inquiry which investigated the abandoning at Sea on January 26 of the $.5. Mary Horlock" The confirmatory resolution was was announced at noon-to-day proposed by Mr. A. B. Stewart and by the President Lieat Comdr. seconded by the Chairman, and Conway Hake RN.R-The Court passed unanimously. we found that the master, Capt. R. C The Chairman mentioned that Hill was justified in Scottling the the Interport team was leaving for ship, commended him and his Manila to day and wisocd them crew for their scamanship in the best of luck and a good time. launching a boat and transferring the crew without loss, and drew the attention of the Board."of Trade (d the prompt arrival and fine rescue carried out by the SEA

President Tapas

Troublesomy Cought

troublesom

turbing night

Very great credit is due the Ball FRE officials, whose names appeared in - sopped by taking Chamberlain's

The China Mall yesterday and who,

it was patent, had worked exceed

ingly hard to makeelast

event the success it und

proved,

2 and am

These are little points that the noble Viscountess Astor would do well to remember before she rises again in the House of Commons and gives vent to her throbbing pity, her Pecksniffian scorn or her bursting virtue. (as the case may be) at the expense of luckless Hongkong. We don't know whe ther we have to thank this mis- guided lady for the previous

Truly reformer's zeal was never seems not improbable, since they more fantastically, never more were as pointless as the one dangerously misplaced; never cabled from London yesterday. were its possible. consequences They showed that the busybody more real and terrible. There behind them either wanted to fore the Colony may well hope abolish prostitution altogether or that the mischief will not be to wipe out such precautions as allowed ot get beyond its present preséntly exist, both equally stage, and that we shall be left stupid and absurd demands, with to conduct our own affairs in conditions as they now obtain, peace without any tragic inter not simply in Hongkong, but all ference from well-meaning but over the world.

quite ignorant and wholly incom- petent outside meddlers.

If Lady Astor did inspire those

COMRADES IN ARMS.

AN OLD SOLDIER WANDERS.

AND FADES BACK TO

CANTON.

lot of arms" were kept in the quarters.

Defendant's story was that whilst in Canton, he had heard that Li Pat-a two months' com- rade in Wuchow--was in the. House of Detention at Hongkong and he, accordingly came down to inquire for him.

Wandering about the upper floors of the Central Police Sta-

His Worship held the view, that tion on Thursday evening, Muk. Chan-wing who claimed to be an it was not safe to assume that old soldier whose regiment had defendant went with any bad in- been disbanded at Kongmoon, tention and sanctioned a sugges was charged before Mr. G. N. tion by the police that the old Orme this morning with trespass- soldier be repatrioted by to- night's boat. Defendant. thanked ing, Detective-Inspector Apple the Court profusely as he left the ton, prosecuting, stated that "a dock.

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