1929-12-17 — Page 7

the

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1929.

THE GOVERNOR UNLOCKS THE

DOOR.

NEW UNIVERSITY HOSTEL OPENED.

ANOTHER STRONG LINK BETWEEN EAST AND WEST.

'A "MONUMENT TO FR. MATTEO,

O RICCI."

Bow

His Excellency the Governor (Sir Cecil Clementi, E.0.M.G.), performed the open- ceremony yesterday of Ricci Hall, the University Hostel in Pokhulam Road, and among distinguished guests present worG the Rev. 6. Byme, 3.3., the Bishop of Victoria, Bishop H. Valtorts, the Colonial Secretary (the Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn, 0,M.G.), the Hon. Mr. E. T. Creasy, 0.B.E., the Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton, the Italian Gonzal, the Hon. Dr. S W. Tso, the Hon, Sir Shou-son Chow, the Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga, Dr.da Souza, the Very Rev. Dean Swann, Professor Forster, the Hon. Dr. Wellington, Mr. Lee Yau Tsun, 0.3.E., and Professor Middleton Smith.

The Hall is named Ricci to commemorate the memory of Matteo Bicci, prieat, Sinologue and Scientist who, after some years in Canton and Shining, was permitted to settle in Peking in the year 1601.

4

CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AS EDUCATIONAL BASIS.

Following the opening ceremony the unlocking of the main door, with a silver key-by His Excel lency, a short blessing was pro- nounced by Bishop Valtorta. The guests then assembled in the court at the back of the building for the addresses.

Father MacDonald has just come to us from Canton where, last year, he taught mathematics in Cantonese. Through Father MacDonald would be the first to deny any claim to a scholarship such as Ricci's, I am quite safe in saving that in devotion to the study of the language he is In his address of welcome, one with his illustrious brother, Father G. Byrac, S.J., said: and if he and those associated with "Your Excellency, Ladies and him in the work were not animated Gentlemen, We have assisted at a by the ideals of "Ricci, this Hall ceremony which is simple in its would have remained unbuilt. accomplishment but profound in "If you ask what more precise its implications. Opening a door ly these ideals are, I would say is so simple an act that the burglar that they, are happily summed up can dispense with your keys, yet in the title given to Ricci: Priest, opening a door is so full of mean-Sinologue, Scientist. These ideals ing that the phrase, has become one are developed by Cardinal Newman of the rich metaphors of our in his idea of University.

Our... memories of the language.

our joys, our hopes, our peat, aspirations, all crowd through the open door of our minds, voluntarily or involuntarily admitted. Every one realises that no quest is so human as the quest of the golden key which unlocks the door of the temple of knowledge. You can see, then, how fitting is the ceremony, just performed by His Excellency, of opening the door of a new University Hostel, destined for students of the Universal know

·ledge.

"He claims as the scope of a University the culture of a univer- sal knowledge, and shows that this aim cannot be attained unless the mind sweeps the Heavens as well as the earth. We have been selecting Christmas cards, these days, and the traditions of Christmas must bring home to us the impossibility of understanding the thought of a Dante, a Shakespeare, a Milton without some of the theology of the Incarnation. Nor can we divorce the art of Michelangelo, or Raphael, of Murillo from the same theology.

Need of Hostels,

success, but I've done better. I've deserved it.'

BISHOP VALTORTA.

Bishop H. Valtorta next address. ed the gathering.

It is indeed a great privilege and a great happiness to see here now more than realized my long cherished desire of having a Catho lie University Hostel in Hong Kong," he said:

**The invitation extended lang aga by the University Authorities to my Mission to start a Catholic Hostel had been eagerly accepted. The Catholic Church-while fully respecting religious liberty and actually forbidding all forms of re ligious coercion yet it wishes that Christian principles and ideals should always accompany step by step and even up to University training, the education of youth; consequently it wishes that full op- portunities for them be given to all.

"The short years which I have passed in China have more than convinced me of the absolute neces- sity of Christian principles as a basis for education. I have seen a feverish activity for education in China: Schools and Universities were started in a very encouraging number, as education was thought by many to be the panacea for all evils. Yet I have seen once more

how true it is, as the great educa- tionalist Tommaseo said, that the School, when it ééasca to be a tem- ple, becomes a den.

"On behalf of the staff of Ricei Hall, I beg to thank very sincerely

Character and Mind. H.E. Sir Cecil Clementi for his. presence to-day and his genuine "Even the finest education has interest in the Hall, Bishop Val. not stopped many a man from be- torta for unfailing encouragement, coming a disgrace to his own Profesor Middleton Smith, the family and to his own country; senior Dean of the University staff and it has been a sad thing indeed for his presence on the platform to for some German missionary friends welcome us into the University of mine to fall, quite recently, into the hands of Communist hordes, circle, I might add that the ac

whose leaders were able to elegantly quisition of the beautiful site is due not only to his engineering in-converse with them in the language stinct but to his artistic sense of Goethe and state that they had which, years ago, persuaded the received a first class University military authorities that better is education. wisdom than weapons of war.'

The Voice of Youth, "The architecte, Messrs. Little, Adams and Wood, the contractors, Messrs. Lam Woo, the electricians, Messrs Jack, Messrs. Reiss Massey for the heating, Lee Yu Kee for the range will all be rewarded by your approbation, when you have Nor will examined their work. you deny it to Mesars. Chung and Chung for the room furniture nor to Mr. Chanatong for the design of the library presses and last but not the least mention must be made of Mr. Vannini who did the

"chapel.

We are indebted to the Club Lusitano for allowing us one of their billiard tables at a more than

reasonable cost.

Tribute to Sir Decil.

"It seems to me that there is

For this reason, amongst others, see the need of hostels an especial appropriateness in the we can function for His Excellency, at the which, within a University, afford all, he and Lady Clementi are about the opportunity of pursuing, Partion a small list of benefactors who

Besides all these I should men present moment. To the regret of such students, as freely desire, it,

In the wind of the pass with their seculiar studies, have contributed towards the cost to leave us. Home Government, Singapore is a the culture which, to those who be

of furnishing the hostel. As I hope step higher on the administrative lieve in religion at all, must that the liat will be increased; 1 ladder, but to us, who know the dominate all other cultures the re-

am withholding publication for the East, it is absurd to say that aligious development of their souls.

moment. It is customary to make Governor, in the low-lying Straits, in the biochemical laboratory an

an appeal for institutions such as could climb higher than Mountain excellent menu card of carboy this. If I imitate the general Lodge, on the Penk. Certain it is drates and proteins suitably blend- that His Excellency will find ited for our dinner may be drawn custom, I know that I can call difficult to reach a higher point in up, but we are more interested in pon your goodness which has grown by frequent giving, and at the esteem of his new friends than the social side of our parties than the same time I can appeal to your he has reached in the goodwill of even in vitamins," and the beat civic sense.

equipped laboratory al Hong Kong.

does Dot "He has devoted himself, untir-analyse table talk. A full Univer- ingly to every phase of local desity, course

should prepare the velopment, and I am sure that he student to be some more than will not contradict me if I say that doctor or an engineer or a lawyer the growth of the University has it should prepare him to be a man, hnd very warm corner in his to play to the full his role of duty heart, and that no one has worked in life: more actively than he to help the University to pass the stage of what Mr. Hornell "called "its growing

pains From the first he has taken the erection of

1

keen interest

Ricci Hall. It is an addition to

the University; and may we fatter

So nigh is grandear to our dust, So near is God to man,

When Duty whispers low-Thou

must,

#

St. Paul boasted that he was

To the instruction of the mind must be joined the moulding of the character, to the scientist we must add the man; and this is such a task that it cannot be fully ac complished except with the help of Religion.

"These reasons have moved the Catholic Mission to agree to start a University Hostel. However, the Mission has always been handicap ped by one difficulty or another that it could not succeed until to- day. Bat I am a witness that it has always tried all it could do. I was even amused on a certain oc-

easien when my predecessor Bishop Pozzoni, despairing of a better solution, went to the extent of ask- ing-even my poor self to make a start for an Hostel, in the small Mission House that stood one "on ef King's College. the site of the present fine building

Jesuite and Thoroughness. "Anyhow, when there is a will there is a way. So many persever ing efforts had to be rewarded and are now crowned in the most befit-

COOKS SUE THEIR EMPLOYER.

RESTAURANT MANAGER AS

DEFENDANT.

QUARREL SETTLED AND

* MADE "UP."

Three separate actions in which there were five plaintiffs who had been connected with the Tong Yuen Restauraat in the kitchen depart. ment were mentioned as the Sum- mary Court yesterday before the puisar Judge (Mr. Justice Wood). when plaintiffs sought to recover from the management damages for alleged discharge without notice.

One plaintiff, who was stated to have secured job on a British gunboat two days after the alleged dismissal, was not present owing to the vessel being away from port, His claim was for 833.

Mr. Horace Lo appeared for Chan Wal Nam, manager of the Tong Yuen Restaurant, and the plaintiffs were not legally repre- sented.

Alleged Dismissal Without Notics,

Evidence was given by the plaia='| tifs that the defendant manager told them at the end of the day's work on November 30 that their services would not be required from the following day as there had been a change of partners. They immediately asked for a month's notice in lieu of wages, but this was refused. It was alleged that the next day new servants were

brought in although certain of the plaintiffs continued to remain on the premises for three days, doing no work, but still being provided with meals.

In cross-examination it was denî- ed that the manager had occasion to reprimand some of the plaintifs for, taking ment "for their own purposes" and that subsequently the absent plaintiff, who was the chief ecok, adopted an insolent at titude.

In the course of his evidence de- fendant said that the plaintiffs walked out their own accord, that he had to bring in tew scr vants and much inconvenience was caused to his business. He admitted that he offered to pay the men

three days' wages for December as a gratuity, but he was under no obligation to pay them anything ar he never dismissed them.

Litigants Discuss the Matter.

His Lordship considered that there was some doubt that the plaintiffs ceased work on their own accord seeing that, the manager offered to pay them three days' wages. He thought it was a ter in which the parties might agree to a compromise.

mat.

After a short adjournment to en- Į able the parties to discuss the mat- ter, His Lordship was informed, that the defendant had agreed to pay 812 arrears of salary and an additional, 828 which represent- ed half a month's pay, to each of the four defendants.

ting manner. Here is the result, here is the prize, here is the monu- Si monumentum requiris, ment. circumspice. The building, the equipment and, above all, the ex- ceptionally fine staff of the Hall which is adorned with the great a citizen of no mean city, Hong name of Ricci make this Hostel a Konger can surely indulge in the mest welcome addition to our Uni- hoist, to say nothing of the raversity.

His Lordship entered judgment sideat who points to the placard Of course, once I had succeeded on the basis agreed. In the case of of Greater Kowloon. Now you in having the Jesuits of the Eng the absent plaintiff, his claim was are convinced that a University lish Assistancy come to Hong struck out, but as he had secured and all the machinery that goes to Kong for the purpose, I was per-employment almost after leaving sity to the national life. work it are not a luxury but a neces- fectly sure of a result like the one the restaurant, he would in any You leave which we have the pleasure of sec fresh suit be entitled to claim only

realized. mansions behind you, they will ing now

The Jesuit 810 due as back wages. crumble and be replaced; you leave Fathers, whenever they start on thoughts-those who will take your something, always do it in the most place, what have you done:- thorough and efficient way so that "What is white?

nothing whatever remains to be de- aired on their part.

The soul of the sage, faith

lit,

The trust of Age,

The infant's untaught wit.. What more white 7

The face of Truth made

known,

"Such an one was Matteo Ricci, the great Italian Jesuit who came to China over three centuries ago: he put such a zenl in his mission that he was sought at the Imperial Court of Peking and added to his many great qualities and merits that of becoming a most distinguish ed Chinese Scholar,

The youth replies-I can!" ourselves that, at least in its idealar Hall where students of so many The social life of a University it is an addition that would appeal

different races, creeds and varied to his scholarship?

"The name chosen for the Hall-cultures meet should be an invalu Ricci Hall-suggest that those res-able training ground. The per punsible for its direction wish to manent staff of the Hall will con borrow a leaf from His Excellency's aist of the Warden with two or own book of scholarship, by trying three others, all University grad to make a happy blend of Westernuates of different faculties: thus, and Eastern scholarship. Long be at present, literature, medicine and fore Ricci, Western missionaries, engineering are represented. As in Western traders, Western explorers the residential Halls of Oxford and had found their way to the East, Cambridge private assistance is PROF. MIDDLETON SMITH.gither with the undying gratitude Matico Ricci (pronounced Ritchie) given such students as desire it, was the first to establish himself at so it will be aim of the Fathers to the court of Peking, not only as a help those who may need help in recognised scientist, but as a master their studies.

in science who opened up new fields of knowledge to the scholars of the

The Voice of Youth

Singing before her throne."

"

Plaintiffs and defendant display- ed the utmost good feeling at the end of the case, and the employer good-naturedly invited his erst- while employees to call at his pre- mises any time for the money awarded to them in the judgment.

. י'

THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS studies of cadets and, on the other

For Cadet Officers, "Some form of collegiate life is essential; and it is this which the hostels of the Hong Kong Univer- Such, I have no doubt, will be aity, of, which Ricci Hall is one, this matter in the view of the Hong the Jesuit staff of Ricci Hall. To aim at supplying. So important is of the Catholic Mission, they will Kong Government that arrange- gain for themselves the gratitude ments are now made for our cadet Profesor Middleton Smith, in and the blessings of all those who, officers on arrival in the Colony to the course of a lengthy address, re- all over China, will have the for-be attached to the Hong Kong Mantai Indigestion.

ferred to the excellent assistance tune of ever coming into contact University and, whenever acom East. After working for some "Amongst other things you will which would undoubtedly be render with such men as will have been modation is available, to live in year in Canton, Shivhing and notice that we are endeavouring to ed to the tutorial facilities of the educated by them at Rice Hall."

one of the University hostels. other parts of South China, Father build up a useful library for the University by the new Hostel, (Applause.).

"We wish by this menus, on the Ricci finally got permission to benefit of the students. We shall These Hostels, he believed, were due

one hand, to facilitate the Chinese settle in Peking, on January 24, try to make this library more ser to the fertitle brain of Lady 2001. At Peking he remained until viceable by lectures on such sub- Lugard. (Applause.)

hand, to establish friendly contact his death on May 11, 1810. He was jects as the use of libraries, the. The saying was accredited to the

from the outset between Chinese un- known to the citizens as Priest, choice of books, the most profitable Duke of Wellington, who founded His Excellency the Governor dergraduates and young Britishers Sinologue and Scientist and to way to read, etc. Lord Bacon has King's College (London) that the said

newly arrived in Hong Kong, who quote the words of the Encyclopae truly said that reading maketh battle of Waterloo was won on the Father Byrne, Ladies and have in most cases very recently dia Britannicń: Probably no a full man but he did not add that playing fields of Eton. Yet the Gentlemen:

themselves béen undergraduates in European name of past centuries indiscriminate reading may pro Iron Duke made no provision for "Both as Chancellor of the Hong one of the universities at home. is.so well-known as that of Li-ma- duce a mental indigestion more playing fields in connection with the Kong University and as Governor "We hope thereby to beneft, not tru, the form in which the name dangerous than the bodily malady University he had founded! For of this Colony I welcome the estab-only the students, but the Univer of Rice was. adapted to Chinese and more difficult to cure.

tunately, this could not be said of lighment of Ricci Hall; and it is a sity and the Colony as well; for in usage. The works which he com

"On the open book, above the Hong Kong University. (Bear, great pleasure to me to perform years to come the University hostels posed in Chinese are numerous. hall, door, you have noticed hear.) They are said to display an ap- phrase from the Analects of Con- pesteng enough to be pre-sity rightly decided that the institu of the Colony and they should the opening ceremony to-day. The will, I anticipate, play a role of The speaker said he hoped he founders of the Hong Kong Univer-increasing importance in the life Litude-for-elothing ideas in fucius, which we might render Chinese dress very rare and re freely into English: In your sent at the opening of another such tion should be residential, in order materially contribute to mutual un markable in a foreigner. (Encyc. quest of scholarship follow the man. Hostel for students and that it that its undergraduates might enjoy derstanding between the many races Britana, 13th edit. XXIII. p.280). of high ideals, not the man of low would have "Clementi Hall" for the benents which are 20 marked a of which the Colony's population is

Link with the Part.

ideals." We shall be happy if the its title. (Hear, hear.)

feature of residential universities composed.. student of Ricci Hall has this During the past 17 years, the in England.

Even at a distance I shall watch "It is natural" that those who motto Excelsior na his watch University had experienced many Moreover, the_raison d'être, of the career of Ricci Hall with deep belong to the Jesuit Order, of which word. We hope, certainly, that the difficulties but the problem present the Hong Kong University is, or interest and I shall expect to hear Father Ricci was a member, should immediate result of his efforts willed by the divergance of views upon should be, to explain China to the great things of its achievements for seek to perpetuate his memory by be success in the examination hall.religious matters was one that had West and the West to China. But the cause of education, for the some suitable memorial in the East. But we hope still more that, even never troubled them. In this, as such an object cannot be achieved cause of good fellowship and for Ita happy coincidence that the if he were to fail in the list of in connection with all contentious merely by lectures to students in the cause of righteousnces.”: “(Ap- first warden of the Hall-Father academic honours, he will not fail questions, they had all-staff and ❘n class-room, supplemented by pri- plause.), MacDonald-should have commen- in the more important roll call of | students-worked together in pervate study in private homes or in The guests then adjourned for tea. cedahia connection with the Festin being a map every $30k eman Liect birmons and Clodging heftet hicheerspector Shiubing and Canton, as did Ricci. tia not in mortals to command plause.)

(Continued on next Column.) hew Hall was made.

..:

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