Enclosure M67 to Govt Despatch 160. 343/01
4
318
35250
PEC:
Notes on the attached Petition of the Residents of Hongkong, praying for the establishment of a School for the use of the children of European Residents exclusively.
With reference to the question whether such a School should be established by the Government of Hongkong, the following three points must be settled:-
A. Is there any inherent objection to such a School on the ground that, while supported by general taxation, it would be for the benefit of one class only?
B. If justifiable in principle, is it necessary?
C. If necessary, what kind of School should it be?
A.
As I understand the matter, public funds may be devoted to any object such as will add to the strength or wealth of the Colony: such objects are, the erection of batteries and forts, public works, and the equipment of the rising generation with knowledge and character enabling them to subserve the general welfare. Now as to this last object, there is one section of the community perhaps of more vital importance than any other, and that is the members of the mechanical and engineering trades, the skilled British labour in the dock-yards and manufactories, the Engineers on local steamers and steam tramways. They are the backbone of the Colony in time of peace, and their professional knowledge would be a potent factor in its defence in war time. Many of them are already members of the Engineer and other Companies of the Volunteer Force.
I base my justification of such a School as is proposed principally on the good it would do the Colony by strengthening this vitally important class. To justify its creation, such a School must show itself an addition to the local and imperial armoury: it is no question of granting a compassionate allowance to one section of the community, however deserving.
B.
There are in the Colony according to the recent census 175 boys and 202 girls between the ages of 5 and 18. Few of these are children of the comparatively wealthy classes who afford to live at the Peak. Most of them have parents of the professions above enumerated. To each parent there are three courses open. Either they can send their children Home to be educated; or they can avail themselves of the existing Schools; or they can let their children grow up without instruction. As regards the first alternative, it is simply out of the question on the score of expense in most cases, the expense not only of sending
E
}
OOP Y.
Fenclosure M67 to Goor Despatch 160. 343/01
4
318
35250
PEC:
Notes on the attached Petition of the Residents of Bongul kong, praying for the establishment of a School for the use of the children of European Residents exclusively.
With reference to the question whether such a School should be established by the Government of Hongkong, the following three points must be settled:-
A. Is there any inherent objection to such a School on
the ground that, while supported by general taxation, it would be for the benefit of one class only ?
B. If justifiable in principle, is it necessary?
C. If necessary, what kind of School should it be ?
A.
As I understand the matter, public funds may be devoted to any object such as will add to the strength or wealth of the Colony: such objects are, the erection of batteries and forts, public works, and the equipment of the rising generation with knowledge and character enabling them to subserve the general welfare. Now as to this last object, there is one section of the community perhaps of more vital importance than any other, and that is the members of the mechanical and engineering trades, the skilled British labour in the dock-yards and manufactories, the Engineers on local steamers and steam tramways. They are the backbone of the Colony in time of peace, and their profes- sional knowledge would be a potent factor in its defence in war time. Many of them are already members of the Engineer and other Companies of the Volunteer Force.
I base my justification of such a School as is proposed principally on the good it would do the Colony by strengthening this vitally important class. To justify its creation, such a School must show itself an addition to the local and imperial armoury: it is no question of granting a compassionate allowance to one section of the community, however deserving.
Juch
8.
There are in the Colony according to the recent census 175, boys and 202 girls between the ages of 5. and 18. Few of these are children of the comparatively wealthy classes who afford to live at the Peak. Most of them have parents of the professions above enumerated. To each parents there are three courses open. Either they can send their obildren Bome to be educated; or they can avail themselves of the existing Schools; or they can let their children grow up without instruction. As regards the first alternative, it is simply out of the question on the score of expense in most cases, the expense not only of
sending
}
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.