The Code of Regulations for Educational Grants-in-aid has been revised with the aim of raising the standard of Education.
Arrangements have been made by the Government to bring the West Point Reformatory under the provisions of Ordinance No. 19 of 1886 as a Certified Reformatory School for the reception of juvenile offenders. I trust that this will have the effect of reducing the gaol population and of preventing the contamination of the young which is certain to occur when they are brought into contact with the old offenders.
For the benefit of the Government Central School for Girls, a Member of this Council has erected a handsome three-storied building which will soon be handed over to the Government.
Physical Drill, which was introduced a short time since in 11 schools, has during this year been carried a step further by the superaddition of a Cadet Corps subject to inspection by the military authorities. This Corps is popular, and in many ways, and especially so far as physique and discipline are concerned, will prove of great benefit to those who belong to it, or who may hereafter join it.
The need of a fixed standard of Chinese orthography in connection with local examinations has long been recognized. At the suggestion of the Government, it has at last been supplied by the Rev. Dr. CHALMERS, whose work in this, as in other cases, is admitted, by those who are capable of judging, to be a monument of learning and industry.
Examinations have been held for the Diploma of the College of Preceptors, and for London matriculation purposes. In addition to the Oxford Local Examinations, provision has been made for the re-introduction into Hongkong of Cambridge Local Examinations.
These facts indicate not only progressive movement but prove that, as far as circumstances will admit, local Education is being assimilated to the system in force in the Educational Institutions of the Mother Country.
I referred just now to the Cadet Corps, and some mention of the Volunteer Force should not be omitted. It numbers about 90, and every effort has been made to increase its numbers but without much result. It can therefore only be said that whilst it forms a most valuable nucleus, its practical utility depends upon its further expansion.
The Officers, and especially the Commandant, have done all in their power to ensure its being a success, and active preparations are being made for its taking part in the mobilization of the Garrison in January. The new headquarters are nearing completion and will be a great convenience to members of the Force. I much wish that the Volunteer movement was looked on with greater favour and received greater support from the Community generally than it appears to do at present.
There is every probability of Hongkong being shortly put into telegraphic communication with the outer world, independently of connection with any Foreign territory. This is a subject of congratulation.
So far as I am aware, it will not be necessary to trouble you with legislation of any importance in the near future, so that we may anticipate an unusually short session.
I am in communication with the Viceroy of Canton and Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in Peking in reference to the opening up of the West River to Foreign trade, and also in regard to the question of preferential duties granted on junk-carried tea to the detriment of Foreign shipping. These are two weighty matters affecting existing trade and its possible extension. A favourable solution of them would be hailed with great satisfaction by me in consequence of the undoubted benefits which would accrue therefrom to the Mercantile Community of Hongkong.
And here, Gentlemen, it is not inappropriate for me to refer to the happy relations which for the last two years have existed between the Government and the Chamber of Commerce, and which it will always be my endeavour to maintain unimpaired.
We have to be thankful for exemption from serious epidemic or destructive storms in 1898. In the late typhoon, it is true that Gap Rock Light was considerably injured, and that costly repairs will have to be effected; but otherwise, thanks to the timely warnings issued from the Observatory, the damage done to property was infinitesimal, and little or no loss of life occurred.
The general behaviour of the Chinese during the past year has been most exemplary, and the criminal class has largely decreased.
In conclusion, Gentlemen, I shall not lay myself open to the charge of being over-sanguine when I assert that there is distinct evidence that the condition of the Chinese Community is improving, that business is more settled, and that the prospects are better than they have been at any time during the past three years. It is my earnest desire, in which you will cordially join, that still brighter and happier times may be at no distant date in store for all classes of Residents in this important and progressive Colony.
WILLIAM ROBINSON,
Governor.
Council Chamber, 4th December, 1893.
Page 363
Page 363
Page 363
WB & L(121)-22916—6000-2-92
Gov. No.
Dispatch 234.
Date: 1893
6 Dec
Last previous Paper: Gov 93-4 "Z 22 Jan
Next subsequent Paper: 561 HongKong No. 485
(Subject.) DESPATCH. C.O. 382 485 94 Govt Balances in local banks. Steps being taken to reduce them to the prescribed limit. Copy letter to Cagts.
(Minutes.) M. Fanfield See also 564 480 2561
The instructions to the C. Agents to keep the investments of Fund may not be (or to the latter) separate Praza Fund is contrary to the intention. parr. 4t's of an desp
The moment it is known that separate rested in this Praza Fund is in England, the Lotholders will have opening hereafter any profit that may to claim arise the transaction, wither by rise in Exchange or rise in value of this securities. On the other hand should there
}
The Code of Regulations for Educational Grants-in-aid has been revised with the aim raising the standard of Education.
Arrangements have been made by the Government to bring the West Point Reformatory under the provisions of Ordinance No. 19 of 1886 as a Certified Reformatory School for the reception of juvenile offenders. I trust that this will have the effect of reducing the gaol population and of preventing the contamination of the young which is certain to occur when they are brought into contact with the old offenders.
For the benefit of the Government Central School for Girls a Member of this Council has erected a handsome three-storied building which will soon be haded over to the Go-
vernment.
Physical Drill, which was introduced a short time since in 11 schools, bas during this year been carried a step further by the superaddition of a Cadet Corps subject to inspection by the military authorities. This Corps is popular, and in many ways and especially so far as physique and discipline are concerned will prove of great benefit to those who belong to it, or who may hereafter join it.
The need of a fixed standard of Chinese orthography in connection with local examin- ations has long been recognized. At the suggestion of the Government it has at last been supplied by the Rev. Dr. CHALMERS whose work in this, as in other cases, is admitted, by those who are capable of judging, to be a monument of learning and industry.
Examinations have been held for the Diploma of the College of Preceptors, and for London matriculation purposes. In addition to the Oxford Local Examinations provision has been made for the re-introduction into Hongkong of Cambridge Local Examinations.
These facts indicate not only progressive movement, but prove that as far as circum- stances will admit local Education is being assimilated to the system in force in the Educa- tional Institutions of the Mother Country.
I referred just now to the Cadet Corps, and some mention of the Volunteer Force should not be omitted. It numbers about 90 and every effort has been made to increase its numbers but without much result. It can therefore only be said that whilst it forms a most valuable\ nucleus, its practical utility depends upon its further expansion.
The Officers and especially the Commandant have done all in their power to ensure its being a success and active preparations are being made for its taking part in the mobilization of the Garrison in January. The new head quarters are nearing completion and will be a great convenience to members of the Force. I much wish that the Volunteer movement was looked on with greater favour, and received greater support from the Community generally than it appears to do at present.
There is every probability of Hongkong being shortly put into telegraphic communica- tion with the outer world, independently of connection with any Foreign territory. This is a subject of congratulation.
So far as I am aware it will not be necessary to trouble you with legislation of any importance in the near future so that we may auticipate an unusually short session.
I am in communication with the Viceroy of Canton and Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary
in Peking in reference to the opening up of the West River to Foreign trade, and also in regard to the question of preferential duties granted on junk carried tea to the detriment of Foreign shipping. These are two weighty matters affecting existing trade and its possible extension. A favourable solution of them would be hailed with great satisfaction by me in consequence of the undoubted benefits which would accrue therefrom to the Mercantile Community of Hongkong.
And here, Gentlemen, it is not inappropriate for me to refer to the happy relations which for the last two years have existed between the Government and the Chamber of Commerce and which it will always be my endeavour to maintain unimpaired,
We have to be thankful for exemption from serious epidemic or destructive storms in 1898. In the late typhoon it is true that Gap Rock Light was considerably injured and that costly repairs will have to be effected; but otherwise thanks to the timely warnings issued from the Observatory the damage done to property was infinitesimal, and little or no loss of life occurred.
The general behaviour of the Chinese during the past year has been most exemplary, and the criminal class has largely decreased.
In conclusion, Gentlemen, I shall not lay myself open to the charge of being over-sanguine when I assert that there is distinct evidence that the condition of the Chinese Community is improving, that business is more settled, and that the prospects are better than they have been at any time during the past three years. It is my earnest desire, in which you will cordially join, that still brighter and happier times may be at no distant date in store for all classes of Residents in this important and progressive Colony.
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
Council Chamber, 4th December, 1893.
WB & L (121)-22916—6000-2-92
Governor. No.
drusan 234.
Dute.
1893
6 Dec
Last previous Paper.
Gov
93-4
"Z 22 Jan
"I pomo
Nextsubsequent Paper.
561
HongKong No. 485
(Subject.)
DESPATCH.
C.O. 382
485
94
Govt Balances inlocal banks.
Steps
being taken to reduce them
to the prescribed limit. Copy letter to Cagts.
(Minutes.)
M. Fanfield
See also 56+ 4802561
The mistinctions to the C. Agents
to keep the investments of
Fund may not to the latter)
separate Praza Fundmmer went to the
A
Mon 16730.
is contrary to the intention. parr. 4t's of an
desp
The moment it is known that
separate rested in
this Praza Fund is m
England, the Lotholders will have
pening
hereafter
any profit that may
to claim
arise
the transaction, wither by rise in Exchange
brise in value of this
securities. On the other hand shuld there
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