CO129-561-7 Hong Kong University 4-1-1937 - 22-9-1937 — Page 98

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him a more specialistic knowledge, a wider educational

experieme, greater administrative capacity, keener business

acumen or a deeper concern for the interests of the

University than Sir William. For twelve years he has been

building on its foundations and within its lay-out not any

edifice of bricks and mortar but the lives and careers of

hundreds of young men and women. He has confessed this

afternoon to a sense of frustration: and in that he testifies,

in part, to the discontent that is called, and rightly called,

divine. No good and true worker can ever rest satisfied

with his work.

multitude of difficulties and obstacles to contend against

none will doubt. Nobody realises defects in foundation, in

lay-out or in materials more than the master-builder, and the

appointment of my small Committee will provide the opportunity

for the master-builder to come forward and advise as an

architectural consultant for the University's future. Sir

William has confessed also to a sense of isolation.

But that our Vice-Chancellor has had a

So far

as contact with the British Universities is at present lacking or ineffective I am bold to prophesy that, when he is back home Sir William will personally achieve for us a proper and

effectual liaison. He will be, I am confident, this

University's apostle to England. But as regards the loss which his departure will spell for us in Hong Kong I can find

no words of comfort at all.

great men leave great gaps.

not only a great Vice-Chancellor but a very human one so that

the gap which he leaves will be a gap not only in the list of

Hong Kong's distinguished residents but in that inmost circle

of public friends which the Colony has taken warmly and

gratefully to its heart. He ended his address to us this

It is, alas, proverbial that

Sir William Hornell has been

afternoon with the sad word "Good-bye"; I refuse now to

anticipate our parting with him by returning that salutation,