682801-1881-Stamp-Revenue-for-October-and-first-ten-months-of-1880-and-1881- — Page 1

968 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT G. ZETTE, 5TH NOVEMBER, 1881.

EARL OF KIMBERLEY, a building grant to be calculated on certain reasonable and even generous conditions. (Applause). I must say, gentlemen, I think the decision of Her Majesty's Government was in every sense a wise decision; it was but a simple recognition of the sound principle of Freedom of Education, because thus we allow, in every school in the Colony, the teachers to bring up the boys as they think fit, to give them whatever amount of religious knowledge they may choose to teach in connection with other subjects, but the final examination is conducted by independent examiners under Government inspection, and that examination is made in subjects which are selected by the Government, and upon the results of that examination the grant depends. I have much satisfaction, therefore, in informing you that the important changes made by Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH have worked admirably. The schools and the pupils have considerably increased in number, and there is not now in the Colony a single denomination, or any body whatever, that has a complaint to urge against the Government in respect of public instruction. I agree with Father BURGHIGNOLI that the chief credit of what we are doing here to-day is due to my absent friend Bishop RAIMONDI. He it is who laboured so many years to bring about the result we see, namely, the assembling here on this commanding and healthy site of the children of the majority of the foreign residents who will be the pupils in the new College and who are receiving a first class education; receiving it from a body of men, the Christian Brothers, especially trained as teachers, men whose fame as teachers is known all over the globe. I remember a Parliamentary report in which the House of Commons was informed by competent authorities that amongst the very best teachers connected with any scheme of education in the United Kingdom were the Christian Brothers.-(Loud applause.) They devote their lives to this object, and the results that we find at the annual examination of this school show that the Christian Brothers in Hongkong have earned here the same reputation that they have throughout the rest of the world.-(Renewed applause.) Now, Mr. DANBY, I shall have much pleasure in laying the

stone.

Mr. DANBY, the architect, then presented to the Governor a silver-mounted ebony mallet and a silver trowel, each bearing the inscription, "St. Joseph's College, Hongkong. Foundation stone laid by Sir J. POPE HENNESSY, K.C.M G., Governor, 3rd November, 1881."

The usual formalities having been observed, His Excellency declared the stone well and truly laid, and loud applause followed.

The stone bore the same inscription as the mallet and trowel presented to the Governor.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 381.

The following Return of Stamp Revenue for the month of October, and for the first ten months of 1880 and 1881, is published for general information.

By His Excellency's 'Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 5th November, 1881.

M. S. TONNOCHY, Acting Colonial Secretary.

STAMP OFFICE RETURNS.

RETURN shewing the Number and Amount of each kind of Adhesive Stamp sold during the Month of October, 1881.

Number

of Stamps

sold.

41 17,301

2 Cent Adhesive Stamps,

3

""

"

"

79 12 185 25 387 30 460 50 1,528

408 11/

29

}"

"

"

>>

""

""

"

**

7

1 Dollar

"

"

"

DESCRIPTION,

$

Value.

$

C.

0.82

519.03

9.48

46.25

116.10

230.00

1,528.00

612.00

3,061.68