CO129-187 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [1-4] — Page 169

Incloure 1.2 in Governor Don Dennehy's Despatch #1 f 24.

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Sebuary 1800.

166

THE CHINA MAIL.

HONGKONG, FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 1879.

Ir was a graceful act on the part of His Excellency the Governor to volunteer to act as president of the meeting held to consider the formation of a Public School. Without now going into the reasons, it may be noted that much distrust and small faith has hitherto been felt in the scheme yesterday laid before the public at the St. Paul's College gathering. It is therefore in a measure satisfactory that the tone of the meeting was that of unanimity, liberality and hopefulness; and there can be little doubt that the School will be a success if this spirit be maintained. We drew attention, three months ago, to the possibility of a misunderstanding arising from an expression in the preliminary statement of the Provisional Committee. It was said in that circular that the School "must be the fruit of voluntary effort on the part of those who either are members of the Church of England or desire to see such a work going on in connection with it." No doubt the four words here italicised were the origin of the impression that a slight shade of the sectarian element might exist; and we are of opinion that be the fine old Church referred to a sect or a denomination, or a fairly-welded mass of denominations-the statement would have been all the better for the absence of that reference. It is therefore to be presumed that, when the Bishop assured Sir John Smale that the lines or basis on which the school was to be established were contained in the circular referred to, he meant that the scheme would be carried out on the broader and more comprehensive basis provided by the appointment of the new Committee. A glance through the names of the gentlemen forming the Committee of Management will at once render ap parent what we mean; and there are, we venture to say, but few residents who will not agree that the body elected yesterday is the very best that could possibly have been selected for the duty of organizing and managing the " Hong- kong Public School." Bishop Burdon

expressed himself in a manner which must tend greatly to inspire confidence, tas his liberal-mindedness was one of the most striking characteristics of the meeting. As a man, Dr Burdon pos- sesses, we believe, the qualities of public-spiritedness and the highest of motives; and if as a Bishop he has occa- sionally impaired his usefulness and in- fluence for good by the strong positions he has assumed, it must be admitted that he has so acquitted himself in the lead- ing part taken by him in this matter as to disarm criticism. It was feared by some that the close connection of a strong-willed man like the Bishop with the School might lead to awkward con- sequences in the conduct of the institu tion; and the community are indebted to the shrewd common-sense of Sir John Smale for raising the question of the scholastic management of the scheme. The remark of the Chief Justice drew from the Bishop an expression of opi nion which is very satisfactory and of a most reassuring nature. His Lordship

said :-

He agreed with the Chief Justice that the Committee should not interfere with the scholastic management of the scheme. In no place was interference with any man's duty more injurious than in a school. There could be only one head. He thought the Committee named might be depended upon not to seek to meddle with what was known as, and what was exclusively,-the master's department.

-Nothing could be clearer, or stated with more perfect candour, than this admission. Altogether, the prospects of the Hongkong Public School appear to be brighter than those of any similar attempt ever made in this Colony. Funds sufficient to meet the expenses of the School for the first year have been obtained, and an efficient teacher has! been asked for from England. It ought not to be overlooked that the substantial aid given by Bishop Burdon, over and above the other support he has rendered to the cause, is by no means inconsider- able, and the especial thanks of European parents and residents are due to his Lordship and the Committee, for their efforts in advancing Education.

What H. E. the Governor and Dr Eitel said at the meeting will form the subject of remark later on.

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