CO129-529-1 Diocesan Boys' School and Orphanage- appeal for money 2-1-1931 - 10-5-1932 — Page 29

1.

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The traditions end history of this school

entitle its present request to serious consideration.

This was recognised by the Governor in his despatch

of 22. 1. 31., where he points out that the closing

down of the school would mean "not only a serious

loss to the community of educational facilities,

but also a set-back to British educational enterprise"

2. So far as I can make out, it is the only

aided secondary institution in Hong Kong in which

essentially British influence of the right type is

brought to bear on students not only from Hong Kong

but from China proper, in combination with Christian

religious influence. I doubt very much whether

any Government institution could do the same work

that is being done by this school.

3.

If the school were closed, the Government

would, I think, have eventually to support in its

place a school of their own, which would not be,

from the point of view of character training and

British influence, so effective, and would impose

a far heavier burden on public funds.

4.

It seems to me unlikely that the Diocesan

authorities in Hong Kong will ever accept the

proposal that has been made by the Government, which

is virtually to place a Government school, at present

badly situated and housed, on the site and in the

buildings now occupied by this school, and to give

the Diocese a chance of opening & school of quite

a different kind on a inferior site and in far

humbler buildings. This will naturally not appeal

to those who have subscribed considerable sums in

the past towards the maintenance and buildings of