Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 111

The Honourable

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canse for such complaint.

Such an education will not only endow our young men

and women with more open minds and greater public spirit, but will result in the more cordial co-operation of the British and Chinese nations and closer intercourse. between them.

9. It is well said that "large outlay on education is, if wisely directed, far "from being necessarily open to the charge of extravagance,

On the contrary,

"an excellent system of public education is one of the best forms of national in- "vestment. In commercial and industrial efficiency, in a higher level of civic duty, "and above all, in the wider diffusion of moral culture and religious feeling, the "nation is amply repaid for what it spends."

10. We beg to subjoin a scheme which roughly represents our proposals. Should His Excellency deem them worthy of consideration, we shall be happy to discuss them more fully in a personal interview at any time that His Excellency may desire.

We have the honour to be.

Sir,

Your most obedient Servants,

HO KAI.

WEI AYUK,

FUNG WA CHUN.

CHAN TUNG SHANG.

UEN LAI CHUN.

Lò Kus TENG.

S. W. Tso.

WEI ON.

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary.

Secretary of State to Governor.

HONGKONG. No. 408.

SIR

DOWNING STREET,

6th December, 1901.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 343 of the 3rd September, enclosing a memorial from certain British inhabitants of Hongkong, asking that a Government School may be established for European children; and of your despatch No. 380 of the 24th September, enclosing a letter from certain Chinese residents asking that a suitable English School may be established, with the assistance of Government, for the education of the boys and girls of the Chinese upper classes.

2. In view of your strong recommendation, and the arguments with which it is supported, I am prepared generally to approve of the adoption of both these proposals.