Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 558

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If the educational system of the Kowloon Peninsula is to fall into line with that of the rest of the Colony there should be at least two separate schools there- one for Europeans and one for Chinese. The latter School is already in existence and the Government undertakes to provide it with proper quarters without delay. The Government therefore desire formally to request you to waive the condition that the School erected at your expense should be for Europeans and Asiatics alike, and to agree to its being maintained exclusively for children of European parent- age. In so doing the Government feels that it is asking you to supplement a very handsome gift by removing a difficult condition, and one which is believed, by those best qualified to judge, to be prejudicial to the best interests of the Colony.

I have, etc.,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary.

Ho TUNG, Esq.

HONGKONG, 17th February, 1902.

SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, requesting me to reconsider the condition attaching to my gift of the Kowloon School on the ground that Government have come to the conclusion to provide instruction, in future, to children of different nationalities in separate schools.

2. It is hardly within my competence, speaking from the point of view of the educationalist, to enter into any discussion on this latest decision of Government. But I cannot refrain from an expression of very sincere regret for so radical a change of policy on the part of Government, and one that is so much opposed to the spirit which prompted my offer of the School to the Colony. To recall pre- vious correspondence and interviews, it will be remembered that I attached most importance to the stipulation that no distinction should be drawn as regards either the nationality or creed of any scholar applying for admission to the Kowloon School.

3. I was actuated to lay special stress on this particular point by the con- sideration that all Colonial public institutions (to the maintenance whereof public funds were to be applied) in order to be successful and prosperous, broadly speak- ing, must be open to one and all alike. It is in the strict adhesion to this vital principle that I had contemplated the prosperity and success of the new School on the other side of the harbour.

4. On the other hand, I have no desire that my gift should be hedged in by conditions not capable of reasonable modification as my sole object is to benefit education. I am prepared, therefore, though with very much reluctance to yield to the request of Government to waive my original condition to the extent desired. I do so, however, on the definite understanding that Government, on their part, undertake to appoint for the new Yaumati School for Chinese mentioned in the third paragraph of your letter under reply, at least one properly qualified English Master and to maintain the standard of education there on the same level as that in the Kowloon School for Europeau children. Until such provisions are made, in addition to those contemplated, I beg respectfully to differ with the opinion that the educational wants of the Chinese in the dependency of Yaumati are well provided for.

The Honourable

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

I have, &c.,

Ho TÙNG.