CO129-434 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [7-8] — Page 579

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matter at rest permanently.

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3.

In support of my recommendation I would invite your earnest attention to the objections set out in the last paragraph of clause 2 of the Petition which accompanied Sir Henry Blake's Despatch No. 343 of the 3rd. of September, 1901, and to Sir Henry Blake's remark, which I endorse, in paragraph 3 of his covering Despatch to the effect that the moral deterioration to which European children are exposed by contact with Chinese children is not confined to boys.

I know of my own personal knowledge that Chinese children, as the Petitioners stated, "are fully conver- -sant with many matters which are purposely kept from the knowledge of European children"; and I can well understand that

European children would be withdrew from this school if Chinese children, no matter who their father might be, were introduced into it, for I would myself withdraw my own children rather than expose them to the risk referred to.

4.

I regret very much that before the school was opened I did not raise this question. My neglect makes me all the more anxious to correct the mistake while it is still

possible to do so without causing undesirable friction; and it

is because the present opportunity may not recur that I now ask your re-consideration of the question.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Ата з

Governor,&c..