69
time in relation to an expedition he was planning:
"I find that this work [expedition to East River] meets with a good deal of opposition both from officials and the non-official members of the Finance Committee, but especially the latter. HK having no agriculture, but little horticulture to develop. There is, prima facie, some reason for objection. It is thought and said that the Imperial Govt. derives the greatest benefit for botanical investigation in China and that consequently it should defray the costs. It is difficult to procure material benefits to HK from these expeditions, especially as we have no scientific men who take an interest in botany and whose necessities we might be working for. It is to be regretted that the people here do not feel the necessity of encouraging investigations for the sake of acquirements of knowledge only. The fact remains that they do not and this cannot be ignored in considering anything that might be done to thaw their indifference and gain their support."
In order to gain support for his plan Ford suggested that Hooker should write to the Secretary of State or insert an article in a pamphlet form which might help to show:
"The advantages which might reasonably be expected to accrue to HK in particular and the world in general from scientific investigations, and also to show the importance of every country and colony taking upon itself a share of the work and honour of advanced position in breaking down the barriers to the acquirement of more knowledge.
"It is often said here that HK people care about nothing but the 'almighty dollar'. There is much truth in the saying but I'm glad to say, there are many worthy exceptions and these are, I think, becoming more numerous as people are less able to make fortunes and leave the place so rapidly as they formerly did."
69
time in relation to an expedition he was planning:
"I find that this work [expedition to East River] meets with a good deal of opposition both from officials and the non-officials members of the Finance Committee, but especially the latter. HK having no agriculture, but little horticulture to develop. There is, prima facie, some reasons for objection. It is thought and said that the Imperial Govt. derives the greatest benefit for bo- tanical investigation in China and that consequently it should defray the costs. It is difficult to procure materi- al benefits to HK from these expeditions, especially we have no scientific men who take an interest in botany and whose necessities we might be working for. It is to be regretted that the people here do not feel the necessi- ty of encouraging investigations for the sake of acquire- ments of knowledge only. The fact remains that they do not and this cannot be ignored in considering anything that might be done to thaw their indifference and gain their support."
In order to gain support for his plan Ford suggested that Hooker should write to the Secretary of State or insert an article in a pamphlet form which might help to show:
"The advantages which might reasonably be expected to accrue to HK in particular and the world in general from scientific investigations, and also to show the im- portance of every country and colony taking upon itself a share of the work and honour of advanced position in breaking down the barriers to the acquirement of more knowledge.
"It is often said here that HK people care about nothing but the 'almighty dollar'. There is much truth in the saying but I'm glad to say, there are many worthy ex- ceptions and these are, I think, becoming more numer- ous as people are less able to make fortunes and leave the place so rapidly as they formerly did.”
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