CO129-271 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [1-4] — Page 437

little

piece of

money daily. I have no doubt

the Chinese would

fees

paid.

there

As

go

looked

which

now

like a similar present. The

in India are readily and cheerfully I have no doubt Dr. Wright knews all this. Many of the schools and colleges are affiliated with the great University of Calcutta, and boys who go in for the B.A. examination pay 10, 15, or 29 rupoes a month. I said, when English was first introduced in India boys were paid to go to school; now they willingly. At one time, as I told you, English education was sneered at in India; it was excommunicated by the Hindeo priests, who upon it as an unclean thing. Cannot that was done in India be done here ? Certainly it can, with the assistance of you boys the Chinese community. The Chinese, as a race, are far cleverer, far more astute, more industrious than the Indian. Áre you satisfied, boys, with being left in the furch I would say, Cortainly not, when so many advantages are to be gained by the spread English knowledge. At any rate, boys, say this, that Queen's College cannot die troated as a school for the experimente learning of English. It must be transformed a practical, useful institution, the colony, where a good,

and

far

of

I must

any longer

second

all

hope

in

to none

some

to

in

thorough, sound education in English will be given. I cannot expect you boys to understand I have said this morning, but I venture to of these remarks will be printed the Chinese language and will be cir- culated amongst you, eirculated in the neighbouring province, and perhaps even in I speak to you as the Queen's re- presentative, as the Governor of this colony, as a true friend of China. What other object could I have in speaking to you as I have done?

Poking.

435

I

And now, gentlemen of the Governing Body and

Dr. Wright, I will endeavour myself to create

a personal interest in this matter. I will give

last fifty years."

(Applause.)

And I will

$50 to any Chinese boy who will send me in be. fore the 30th June a good essay on the subject of "Great Britain and her progress during the give $5 to the boy who writes the second best essay on the same subject. (Applause). In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, and gentlemen of the Governing Body, I can only thank you for listening to me so atton- I must congratulate you boys who hase gained prizes, and would urge upou you the advantage of studying more thoroughly than you have done and are doing those sub- jects which are most useful in making up an English educatiop. I must for asking me to come here.

tively.

what

is called

thank Dr. Wright

of

boys,

I hope to come here again next year and that what I have so imperfectly said will be fruitful very good results. (Loud applause). Now, give three cheers for Dr. Wright and the Governing Body. (Applause).

Cheers for the Queen, the Governor, the donors prizes, the visitors, and the head?

concluded

master

of the

the proceedings.