31.
THE FIRST DIOCESAN ORPHANAGE
931
In several previous articles of this historical series, references have been made to foundling homes and orphanages organised by missionary bodies - the Germans, and the French Roman Catholics, being among the earliest to do this good work. There was no organised Church of England orphanage until the close of the Sixties, when the Diocesan Orphanage was founded. Little of its history appears to have survived to-day, except for a brief reference to its existence (newly founded) in 1869, when the Diocesan School and Orphanage temporarily absorbed the St. Paul's College, which had fallen on evil days owing to the loss of its funds in Dent and Co.'s crash in 1867.
While it is shown from the records that the Diocesan School of old had included this orphanage, the period of its existence is not definitely known: but it was most probably functioning up to the time the school split up into two sections. It will be recalled (see 14-11-33) that in 1890 the Diocesan School (for both girls and boys) was separated into two institutions for the different sexes.
A brief note might be made of the fact that the Victoria Home and Orphanage, (established as such in 1887) has in its records a memo that a destitute English child was received in 1889, but was sent daily for schooling to the "Diocesan Home for Boys"- which rather suggests a distinct institution, had come to an end about that period. Nevertheless its functions have remained, as part of the activities of the boarding departments of the Diocesan Boys' and Girls' Schools; in fact the latter still retains the name "orphanage" in its designation.
I have been able to obtain an interesting reference to the inception of the Diocesan Orphanage. It is contained in a circular issued by Bishop Alford and signed by the Rev. W. R. Beach, who was Colonial Chaplain at the time, and had been appointed (by Bishop Alford, in 1867) to be residentiary Canon of St. John's Cathedral.
An old chronicle of February 4, 1869, comments thereon:
A Circular has been issued by the Bishop inviting support to a movement for the establishment in Hongkong of an orphanage for destitute European and other children. The effort, which we hope will be successful, will be directed under the auspices of H.E. the Governor, Vice-Admiral Keppel, Major General Brunker and the Chief Justice. The Circular states:
One
"It is represented that many Children of European and half-caste parentage are to be found living under very deplorable circumstances in Hongkong, China, and Japan; and it is urged as a duty to consider what can be done in their behalf. One of the objects of the Female Diocesan School in Hongkong is to "offer a permanent home for a limited number of Orphans and other Children in necessitous circumstances. The Education of Chinese Girls in Hongkong on Anglo-Chinese principles having been found undesirable, it is proposed to extend the benefits of the Education given in the Diocesan Female School to a few such Children of both sexes as has been described-reserving one wing for the Boys and the other for the girls, and to give them, with board and lodging, an education which may fit them for useful service.
Page 90
Page 91
31.
THE FIRST DIOCESAN ORPHANAGE
931
In several previous articles of this historical ceries, references have been made to foundling homes and orphanages organised by missionary bodies - the Germans, and the French Roman Catholics, being among the earliest to do this good work. There was no organised Church of England orphanage until the close of the Sixties, when the Diocesan Orphanage Sixties, when the Diocesan Orphanage was founded. Little of its history appears to have survived to-day, except for a brief reference to its existence (newly founded) in 1869, when the Diocesan School and Orphanage temporarily absorbed the St. Paul's College, which had fallen on evil days owing to the loss of its funds in Dent and Co.'s crash in 1867.
While it is shown from the records that the Diocesan School of old had included this orphanage, the period of its existence is not definitely known: but it was most probably functioning up to the time theschool split up into two sections. It will be recalled (see 14-11-33) that in - 1890 the Diocesan School (for both girls and boys) was separated into two institutions for the different sexes.
i
A brief note might be made of the act that the Victoria Home and Orphanage, (established as such in 1887) has in its records a memo that a destitute English child was received in 1889, but was sent daily for schooling to the "Diocesan Home for Boys"- which rather suggests distinct institution, had come to an end about that period. Nevertheless its functions have remained, as part of the activities of the boarding departments of the Diocesan Boys' and Girls' Schools; in fact the latter still retains the name "orphanage" in its designation.
I have been able to obtain an interesting reference to the inception of the Diocesan Orphanage. It is contained in a circular issued by Bishop Alford and signed by the Rev.W.R. Beach, who was Colonial Chaplain at the time, and had been appointed (by Bishop Alford, in 1867) to be residentiary Canon of St. John's Cathedral.
An old chronide of February 4, 1869, commentsthereon:
A Circular has been issued by the Bishop inviting support to a movement for the establishment in Hongkong of an orphanage for destitute European and other children. The effort, which we hope will be successful, will be directed under the auspices of H.E. the Governor, Vice-Admiral Keppel, Major General Brunker and the Chief Justice. The Circular a tateg:
One
"It is represented that many Children of European and half-caste parentage are to be found living under very deplorable circumstances in Hongkong, China, and Japan; and it is urged as a duty to consider what can be done in their behalf. of the objects of the Female Diocesan School in Hongkong is to "offer a permanent home for a limited number of Orphans and other Children in necessitous circumstances. The Education of Chinese Girls in Hongkong on Anglo-Chinese principles having been found undesirable, it is proposed to extend the benefits of the Education given in the Diocesan Female School to a few such Children of both sexes as has been described-reserving one wing for the Boys and the other for the girls, and to give them, with board and lodging, an educati on which may fit them for useful service.
Page 90Page 91
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