177
51
50
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH FEBRUARY, 1878.
Happily the Chinese Government and private individuals are exerting themselves in the fatter, and large contributions have been raised and forwarded both in money and food to the Famine stricken districts.
But the whole is of course utterly inadequate to meet the wants of the case, and Missionaries alike Catholic and Protestant, are engaged to the utmost of their ability in the work of distribution and more are ready to enter on it, if means are provided for the purpose. Urgent appeals are to hand for aid, and the Relief Committee here have resolved on adopting the same line of action that was pursued last year, namely, canvassing the foreign settlements at this place, writing to the outports, including Hongkong and Japan, and, in addition to telegraph to England and America.
Lust year the Colony of Hongkong responded liberally to the appeals that were made for Shantung, and the necessities of the case compel us to renew our appeals this year, also in the hope that they will be as effective as they were then.
We have been appointed to write your Excellency for this purpose, and to lay the matter before you, requesting that such means may be carried out at Hongkong, as may be thought most suitable. Your kind attention to this will be the occasion of much thankfulness to the members of our Relief Committee and it is desired that any monies contributed for the object may be sent to the Treasurer of the Fund, F. W. LEMARCHAND, Esq., Agra Bank, Shangbai.
Ilis Excellency
The Governor of Hongkong,
&c.,
&c.
We have, &c.
WM. MUIRHEAD,
Hon. See, China Famine Relief Fund. E. REEVES PALMER,
Minister of Union Church, Shanghai.
R. C. MISSION HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 7th February, 1878. EXCELLENCY,-The appalling news of the horrors of famine, which I almost daily receive from the North of China, compels me to recur to the generosity of the heart of Your Excellency, craving for a As Procurator of the Sacred Congregation of relief for so many famine-stricken fellow-creatures. Propaganda Fide, I continually receive letters from the heads of the Italian Missions, that is the Provinces of Shen-Shi, Shan-Shi and Honan, the Provinces most suffering from famine. My great friend the Right Reverend Bishop VOLONTERI, Vicar Apostolic of Honan, well known here in Hongkong where he worked as Missionary for 10 years and who made the so widely spread chart of the San-on istrict) writes me in date of 12th January, that the horrors of famine are so great, that fathers are seen eating the corpse of their children, and children assisting at the death of their fathers, eating them immediately as they have expired. Indeed the local Mandarins do something, but quite powerless for so many dying people in those huts where at times some 5 or 6 thousand people collected receive a daily soup by the Government, some 60 or 100 corpses are extracted every day.
After such terrible description of the horrors of famine, the Right Reverend Bishop VOLONTERI, and the Right Reverend Bishop LING, Vicar Apostolic of Shan-Shi pray me to do all that lay in my power to find some relief for so many poor creatures, whom they are condemned to see dying every hour around them, unable as they are through poverty to stretch forth their hands to help them. I urged by such pitiful motives take courage to put my humble petition for some relief in the hands of Your Excellency, knowing the sincere feelings of charity which animates your heart, and hoping that the Colonial Government, which was so liberal last year for the poor people of Shantung Province will also come to the help of those of Shan-Shi and Honan.
I have, &c.,
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TM FEBRUARY, 1878.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MADRAS, 11th January, 1878. SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of two drafts amounting to Rupees 543.10.4, towards the Famine Relief Fund.
I beg that you will convey to Bishop RAIMONDI and to the Officers and Men of the Portuguese Gun-vessel Tejo, my best thanks for the remittance.
I remain, &c.,
His Excellency JOHN POPE HENNESSY, Esq.,
No. 31.
Governor of Hongkong.
BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
TEACHING OF ENGLISH IN THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS. The following Letters and Minutes are published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th February, 1878.
[No. 15.]
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
HONGKONG, 28th January, 1878. SI,-Referring to your Letter No. 132 of the 2nd March last, informing me of the Secretary of State's approval of the proposal for introducing a system of payment by results in the Government Schools of the Colony, I have the honour to report as follows:-
The Schools ranked as very good are the
1. Tang-lung Chau (Púnti) School.
2. Wantsai School.
3. Stanley School.
The Schools ranked as good are the-
1. Sai Ying-phún (Púnti) School.
2. Há Wán School.
a. Shéung Wán School.
4. Shán-ki Wán School.
4. Girls' School.
5. Tang-lung Chau (Hakka) School.
5. Ap-li Chau School.
6. Shek-t'ong Tsúi School.
7. Ta'at Tsz-múi School.
$125.00 105.00
$230.00
According to this classification, 5 Masters receive $25 each,.
and 7
"
$15
"
Total,.........
This payment comes under the denomination of Grants-in-Aid. I have already, in my Letter No. 3 of 7th instant, (C. S. O. No. 38), reported that the Grants-in-Aid this year are in excess of the sum voted for the purpose. I trust, however, that His Excellency the Governor, on considering the circumstances of the present year, will not object to making provision for this further sum; and I shall be glad if the Warrant for payment is issued in time to enable me to pay the Masters on the 1st proximo, before they go home for their New Year holidays.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Colonial Secretary,
$c.,
FC.,
&e.
FREDERICK STEWART, Inspector of Schools.
G. BURGHIGNOLI,
Procurator of Pro.
His Excellency
JOHN POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G.,
Governor of Hongkong,
c.,
St.,
fc.
No. 30.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following letter from His Grace the Duke of BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS, dated Government House, Madras, 11th January, 1878, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th February, 1878.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
Minute by His Excellency the Governor.
I have already sanctioned the extra payments in accordance with Mr. STEWART's recommendation, subject to the approval of the Legislative Council.
On visiting some of these Village Schools, I found the Schoolmasters could not speak a word of English, and as far as I could ascertain, none of the pupils had any knowledge of English.
Possibly, in some of the Government Schools I have not yet been able to visit, there
may be instruction in English; I should therefore be glad if Mr. STEWART would make out a list of the Schoolmasters of the Village Schools, marking in each case, those who can teach English, and those who cannot.
Also the total number of pupils in each Village School, and the number in each that can speak English.
J. POFE HENNESSY,
29th January, 1878.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.