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rest of the Colony there should be at least two separate schools there, one for Europeans and one for Chinose. 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 parentage. 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.,
(8d.). J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
HO TUNG, Esq.-
Hongkong. 17th February, 192,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
present to discuss the propriety of the policy of providing separate schools for the various classes of the community, as that question will be fully discussed in the report of the committee appointed to enquire into education which will be published shortly.-I have, etc.,
(Sd.) J. H. STEwart Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.
{
HO TUNG, Esq.
PRESENTATION TO INSPECTOR KEMP.
[February 24, 1902.
THE FIRE AT TAI-KOK-TSUI.
The damage by the fire at Tai-kok-tsui on the 15th inst. is estimated at $50,000. It started about eight o'clock in the morn ng, and origi- nated in the cook-house of a coolie matshed situated on the water front. The inflammable structure went up in a blaze, and set fire to two other matsheds close by. Behind these separated by the width of a street, were four matsheds used for boat-building purposes, and they also quickly ignited, The flames reached an immense distance and spread to the houses in Kramer Street, completely destroying twenty-
would go; as a matter of fact, the paint on one three; other five houses were partly destroyed.
For a time it was feared that the oil-tanks
was afterwards found to be blistered.
Situated so far out of the way, it is not sur
SIB, I have the honour to acknowledge the presented with a handsome balf-hunter go.dperly set to the work of fighting the conflagra-
receipt of your letter of the 15th inst. request- ing 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, speak ing from the point of view of the educationist, to enter into any discussion on this latest deci.
billiard-room at the Central Police Station An interesting ceremony took place in the
on the 18th inst., when, in presence of a re- presentative gathering of European members of the Police Force, Mr. G. Kemp, who is retiring after twenty-three years' service, was watch. Mr. Kemp's initials, in the form of a monogram, were engraved on the back, and on the inside of the watch was the following inscription" Presented to Mr. George Kemp by the European members of the Hongkong Police Force, as a mark of respect and esteem on his retirement as Chief Inspector. February 19th, 1902"
prising that nearly an hour elapsed before the Fire Brigade arrived on the spot and got pro- tion. In this emergency the entire staff of the Smith, turned out, and did excellent work in Cosmopolitan Dock, under the manager, Mr. preventing the outbreak from assuming more serious developments. Mr. D. Macdonald, Execu of a floating fire-engine, and soon afterwards, tive Engineer of the Brigade, arrived in charge
following the arrival of men from Yaumati, camer. G. Kemp in charge of reinforcements
In making the presentation, Mr. HANSON,. Chief Detective Inspector, said that the sion of Government. But I cannot refrain pleasure afforded by the act it had fallen from the Central. A strong wind fanned the to his privileged lot to perform was tem-flames, but they were attacked with the greatest vigour, and by ten o'clock were well in hand; parting from Mr. Kemp. That gentleman had firemen played on the smoking ruins all night pered by regret at the prospect of soon
by noon all danger was past. A number of joined the Force in February, 1879, and during and the greater part of the 16th inst. the entire period of bis connection with it had officiated in a manner which commanded the respect of all. (Applause) As a brother-officer, Mr. Hanson continued, he felt he had authority
from an expression of very sincere regret for so radical a change of policy on the part of Govern- ment, and one that is so much opposed to the spirit which prompted my offer of the school to the Colony. To recall previous 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 for stating that Mr. Kemp was regarded in goods when threatened by fire. One old woman
applying for admission to the Kowloon School. 3. I was sotuated to lay special stress on this particular point by the consideration that all colonial public institutions (to the maintenance whereof public funds were to be applied) in order to be successful and prosperous, broadly speaking, 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 Chi- nese 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 European 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 Chine e in the dependency of Yaumati are well provided for.-I have, etc.,
(3d.) Ho TUNG. The Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
C.M.G., Colonial Secretary,
Colonial Secretary's Office,
official circles as an excellent officer (renewed was personally applause)—and so far as he concerned - he was sure the sentiment would appeal to all-he had always felt that by applying to Mr. Kemp information on any point could be obtained. Mr. Kemp had had the
benefit of experience of police work at home, and he had combined that experience with a thorough knowledge of all matters connected with police affairs in the Colony, thus acquiring a store of knowledge that had ever been at the disposal of those seeking information. Mr. Kemp was now on the eve of departing from the Colony, and it had been resolved not to let him go without his receiving something that would remind him of the friends he had left behind. A watch, it seemed to Mr. Hanson, was a most fitting souvenir for the purpose, because it was such a thing as a man always carried about with him, and it would act as a constant reminder of old associations. The speaker, in making the gift, wished Mr. Kemp all happiness in the old country and a long life to enjoy his well- earned pension. (Loud applause.)
In a brief reply, Mr. KEMP thanked Mr. Hanson and those associated with him for their thoughtful git and kiud wishes, and wished them all good-bye.
The proceedings terminated in the drinking of Mr. Kemp's health, all present joining in the giving of three hearty cheers and the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow."
·
face of the often blind folly that marks the No one was hurt, and this is surprising in attempts of Chinese householders to save their
was stopped in trying to force her way back into her house, already on the point of catching fire. She was returning for her "joss,” she explained, but was brusquely told that if her 'joss" was any good he could save himself. The fire gained greater head way than would otherwise have been the case from the fact that the inhabit- ants of the houses, in their flight, left the doors open, thus allowing the strong wird to carry the flames right inside.
}
SEQUEL TO THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK LARCENY.
-
Wong A Fong, compradore to Messrs. Mel. obers & Co., shipping agents, committed from suicide on the 16th inst. by jumping overboard a lauroh on the way to Macao. No cause 'can be assigned for the act beyond the fact that the deceased stood in the capacity of guarantor for the compradore whose shroff now stands charged. with the larceny of moneys belonging to the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. The exact amount of the deceased's liability is not known,
From enquiries we learn that the deceased- hired the launch to go to Macao, and that be jumped overboard when the vessel was off the Guis fort. The launch was at once stopped and efforts at a rescue were made, but they proved unsuccessful. The body was found yesterday morning on the beach off Praia Grand, opposite Government House. The head and face were Mr. Kemp embarked on the Hamburg on Wed-much cut and bruised, probably through contact nesday Like the majority of the older hands in with rocks. Some person or persons-Chinese, the Police Force, he is a Scotohman, and when ait is surmised — had taken the deceased's watch Hongkong, 18th February, 1902. SIR,-I have the honour, by direction of His young man, saw service with the Glasgow Police. and chain and stripped most of the clothes In his various capacities out here Mr. Kemp from the corpse, leaving it almost naked on Excellency the Officer Administering the has earned the regard of all with whom he came the beach. The deceased had recently been Government, to acknowledge the receipt of your into contact, and hearty wishes for his welfare dealing in sugar and had lost heavily, and this, letter of the 17th instant relating to the pro-accompany him on his return home.
combined with the heavy financial blow sus- posed change in the character of the British
tained through the Bank robbery, is believed to Kowloon School, and to express to you the thanks of the Government for the readiness
have unhinged his mind. with which you have allowed your private wishes to give way to what the Government believes to be best in the interests of public education.
9. As regards the two conditions mentioned. in your letter under reply (a) that the Angle. Chinese School at Yanmati be put under a properly qualified English master and (b) that the course of instruction pursued there be raised to the same level as that at the British Kowloon chool, the Government is prepared, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for theolonies, to accept those conditions. 3 The Government does not propose at
The Japanese Government is nothing if not paternal in many of its ways. A Bill has just been introduced by it, taxing playing-cards. Playing-oards, this Bill declares, are articles of luxury, which are apt to create evils, and it is therefore proposed to impose a tax on them, so that out of evil good may come to the State revenue. The Kobe Chronicle remarks:-It is rather curious that because cards are used by gamblers they should be considered as in trinsically evil. The same argument might be applied to a good many other useful or amusing articles which are occasionally used for nefarious purposes.
The Japán Herald understands from Japa- nese sources that Messrs. Samuel Samuel & Co. and the insurance companies interested in the wrecked Knight Companion have made arrange. ments for native divers to salve the cargo at the price of fifty sen a bale of cotton and tweny sen per tag of flour. This means that the contractor is to supply divers, boats, derricks, and also pay landing charges at Katsura, while the sum of ten sen extra will be paid per bale if the latter be brought to Yokohama.
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