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30 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 26TH JANUARY, 1878.
2924
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Hong Rond
17. April 78
Inter
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I have the honour to
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of your
Despatches
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same satisfactory basis as I have seen it in other Colonies. These are facts, ladies and gentlemen, which it is desirable for us to remember. It is by knowing them and by co-operating tether that we can secure in this Colony that proper quantity and quality of public instruction which a Govern- ment ought to provide. And I may say this is especially our duty here upon the confines of Chips, for speaking in the presence of perhaps one of the most distinguished scholars of China and Chinese my friend Dr. EITEL—he will bear me out in saying the instruction of the people, no matter how rude veno Hennessy and elementary, is carried out in that great Empire, and has been for centuries carried out in a mode which should set us an example. In the Chinese villages at the other side of the water, you see all or nearly all the little boys attending school. It may be that they learn, from our point of view, very little. They get off by heart a few moral and ethical precepts, but such as they are, there they are kept repeating them. They are kept at school away from the streets, and whatever the educational result may be, it is manifest that the peace and good order, speaking generally, of that vast Empire, is in no small degree dependent on the vast network of public instruction there is over the whole of China. Now, ladies and gentlemen, this I think is a fitting opportunity for me, in again congratulating Mr. STEWART and congratulating the pupils who have obtained these prizes to-day, to say that whatever discussions there have been in this Colony, and they have raged pretty warmly now for a good many years, I believe we all unite in an earnest desire to promote the public instruction of the people, and I believe when we come to examine what are called the differences that exist, it will be found they are not very deep and that they should not keep us apart. On a recent occasion, during the absence of my Right Revd. friend Bishop BERDON, I had the pleasure of distributing the prizes at St. Paul's College. What I then said I now repeat, that the Government of this Colony is above the quarrels, discussions, and controversies of the educationists; the only desire of the Government is to do full justice and give fair play to all parties, and it is not because the Government gives assistance one day to one particular party that it is to be debarred the next day from as heartily and equally assisting another party. As long as we can promote public instruction so long, I believe, you will all co-operate with me in carrying out that policy of perfect fairness to all. In doing that, not only will we educate the people, but we will also-what is perhaps a secondary consideration but not unimportant--restore a little more harmony into our educational polemics. (Applause).
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HIS EXCELLENCY again rose and said:--I think, gentlemen, I may, imitating the example of worthy predecessor, SIR ARTHUR KENNEDY, ask Dr. ErTEL if he will favour us with a few remarks of a subject on which there is no better authority than himself the great subject of public instruction.
The Revd. Dr. EITEL:- Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, I feel very much at a loss as to what I can possibly say after the very admirable remarks that have already fallen from His Excellency, which have touched a responsive chord in all our hearts, as they ought to do, for we all have at heart the education of our fellow creatures. Only one thing I notice not specially mentioned in His Excellency's speech, but which no doubt is included in His Excellency's programme, and that is the education of girls. A great deal has indeed already been done in this Colony for the education of boys, but very little for the education of female children, and I hope His Excellency, in his scheme for the futum education of this Colony, will make special provision by the institution of girls' schools. (Applause). I have no doubt I am expressing the feelings of all present when I say the education of the Colony is in excellent hands. (Applause).
Mr. STEWART:--I have to thank Your Excellency, and the ladies and gentlemen who have favoured us with their presence to-day, for your attendance and for the presents which have been given as prizes, If your Excellency will now dismiss us for our holidays until the 1st March we shall be very glut.
HIS EXCELLENCY then announced the holidays and the proceedings terminated.
Mr. Bramston. Mor. Malcolm. /3· Mr. Meade.
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No. 11.
of the 19th Jan.
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and no.12 of the eytu.Jan.
relating to the Distribrition
of prizes at St Paul's' College and at the Central School.
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