Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 489

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SIR,

(7)

(The Governor to Honourable E. R. Belilios.)

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 31st July, 1896.

I have the honour to forward herewith for your information a copy of a report of the Committee appointed to enquire into and report on the question of a College of Medicine for Hongkong and to enquire whether you are prepared to extend your generous offer to give a site and to erect a building thereon to be used as a College to an institution placed under Government control, as recommended by the Com- mittee, or whether you have any modifications to suggest.

2. The recommendations of the Committee will, I feel sure, commend them- selves to you, as they are calculated to secure that permanence and continuity which are of primary importance to an Institution such as it is intended the College of Medicine should be, and I trust this will be an additional reason, if such be necessary, for inducing you not to withdraw your liberal offer, which cannot fail to be of benefit to this Colony.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable

E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.

His Excellency

WILLIAM ROBINSON,

Governor.

SIR,

(Honourable E. R. Belilios to the Governor.)

HONGKONG, 4th August, 1896.

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 31st ultimo enclosing copy of a report of the Committee appointed to enquire into and report upon the question of the establishment of a College of Medicine for Hongkong and enquiring whether I am prepared to extend my offer to give a site and erect a building thereon to be used as a College to an institution placed under Govern- ment control as recommended by the Committee.

In reply I desire to state that circumstances have changed completely since my offer was made. That offer was made to an institution then struggling for existence, but warmly supported by Dr. CANTLIE and carefully administered by Dr. THOMSON. The former has left the Colony, the latter is relinquishing hospital work, and the other medical practitioners are too much occupied to take any keen interest in the institution.

My interest was largely made up of sympathy with the gallant efforts of the two doctors above named to found a College of Medicine for the Chinese.

The situation is now wholly changed. It has been shown by the recent out- breaks of bubonic plague in our midst and the insanitary condition of the city that the work of educating the Chinese in sanitation and a belief in Western medicine is a work that should be undertaken by the Government.

Under the changed conditions, therefore, I have finally resolved not to extend my offer to the College, much as it pains me to refuse assent to any suggestion coming from your Excellency.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.,

je..

Governor, &c.,

$c.

E. R. BELILIOS.