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authority of the Crown over our: municipal affairs. He claimed to bave an open mind on many topics but as regarded that he had a settled conviction. It had always appeared to him that the special circumstances of our environment supplied quite a number of good and sufficien! reasons against experimenting in methods of popular government. On the other hand an older faith in those democratic principles which he believed to be inapplicable here kept his mind alive to the value of enlightened criticism of the official acts of public men and he sympathis- ed with those who deplored the lack of it. There was no lack of other kinds of criticism, Criticism based on insufficient knowledge of ascertainable facts was not uncommon and unfortunately they were only too familiar with unfairness in attacks upou our public servants. With this they could beteficially dispense but they all needed and they all Wanted oriticism having truth for its objective and urbanity for its no e, and unless he was much mistaken the responsible officers of the Govern. ment at all times welcomed it. As far as could be foreseen at present the probability was that during the period of Mr. Hewett's absence opportunities for criticism would chiefly arise in connection with the passage of that Bill at present before the Council. Though as be bad indicated he found himself in sympathy with the main principles of that Bill,

be would support whatever amend- ments appeared to him to be necessary in order to render effective the recommendations of the Sanitary Commission which after hearing de. bated be approved. He regarded the colossal work done by that Commission as highly valuable in many respects, particularly in respect of the check administered to corrupting in fluences. He was not one of those, if there were any, who imagined that the sanitary department of this or any other town or colony was un- susceptible to improvement. He would support whenever possible the views of the unofficial members of the Sanitary Board but beyond that he would hope that when the present bill

was passed it would bs the last of its kind for many a day. It seemed to him that their main concern with the Sanitary and

Building Ordinances was that they should get a rest from new ones. He believed it to be the case that harm was done to the prosperity of the colony by uncertainty as to the conditions under which property was held. Their great need was for a sound law to be honestly ad- ministered for a lung period, and their best hope Was that when the present hill passed into law it would supply that need. He had thus lightly touched upon the only question which could be said to be a burning one at the present moment. On the principle of not crossing bridges b fore they came to them be had omitted mention of subjects that might possibly arise, but should difficult qa stions crop up he would devote him self to the study of them. He was not so in- experienced as to suppose he could please every. body. He would have to be several sorts of different kinds of man to do that. H- did not even aspire to fulfil the hopes of each of the

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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND

пр ti liked to preserva his liberty of choice the last moment of the time appointed. Now the time had come and now be would make bold to ask them one and all for their vote (applause).

The motion was put, and carriel unuimensly., This concluded the meeting.

HONGKONG UNIVERSITY.

A meeting of the Committee convened by II. E. the Governor to consider the project of establishing a University for II ngkong wis held at Government House on March 191. The following gentlemen were preseat:-The Bishop of Victoria, Hon. Mr. May, C.M.G., Hoo. Dr. Ho Kai, C,M.G, Hon. Mr. A. Thom- son, 100. Mr Pollock, Sir Panl Chater, Hon, Mr. Chatham, C.M.G, Hon. Mr. Brewia, Dr. Atkinson, Dr. J. C. Thomson. Mr. A. Rennie, Dr. Batsson Wright, Dr. Jordan, Mr. Turner, Mr. Bowley, Mr. Murray Stewari.

Hon. Mr. Keswick was unavoidably absent and Mr. Mody deferred attendance (ll the next. meeting.

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[ March 21, 1908. Chinese students who at present go to Japan, o to Amarica, England and the Continent of- Europe. These men will be able to pay the fall expenses of their College course, and the University will derive the main portion of its But there will income from the fees they pay. be a period of difficulty, a period in which the expenses will be great aud the receipts small before the University is fully established. I feet therefore that personal optimism and personal enthusiasm are factors which should be eliminated in dealing with this pro ect, and that we should approsonit in a businesslike way, and bfore we embark upon it we should ascertain as nea ly as possible what the cost of mainten inca will be, and what funds we have or are likely to have to meet that cost. When we have actual estimates before us, it will be for us to say how far it is judicious for to embark on the building programme. Mr. Rennie, acting on behalf of Mr. Mudy, has ascared me in the presence of the Court of the College of Medicine that the donor is willing to build ouly a portion of the buildings required and to put the remainder of his geuerons gift into au

eadowment fund, if that should be Hra EXCELLENCY spoke 88 follows:

cousid rd the wiser and more prudent course. Gentlemen :-I have asked you

a Sub. I propose then. gentlemen, to appoin hore to-day in order to announc、 to sea that

Comunities to draw up such estimator as may a large sum of money has been offered with tha

enabis us to approach this subject with more object of building a University in Hongkong; precise data than we at present possess.

The Some time ago Mr. Rennie called upon me and

terms of reference, viz. the poin's upon which informed me that Mr. Mody had read with great

I will ask them to report are as follows: i terest some references I had made in speeches

Having con-ulted the donor as the exact at various priza distributions to the day which I hoped might not be far distant when Hong object de rasin view, the Sub-Committee will kong would bave a University and that he report on the following poin's.-

(4) Assuming that is the first instance the (Mr. Mody) desired to place the magificent sum

schools embrace by ti University are limited of $150 000 at my disposal for this object, but

to a School of Medicin and a School of Eugin- he desired that the matter should not for

murum adequate staff Mr.eering, what is the the present be divulged. I wil ask Rennie to confirm these statements,

He has required for each, and what would be its annual cost? To what extent could focal asssistance be conrented to be a member of this Committee.

counted on to asal tus professional at fiu but did not desire to attend to-day. My first

the early years of th University and until impression was that it was essential that th

it began to earn 80 inc une by fees ut students ? Hongkong College of Medicine should be amalge (b) Assuming that a School of Law were added mated wih any scheme for a University and

later, and that these thres Souools form, 80 should not exist as it were as rival.

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far as our present horizou extends, the full would involve their aban 'o ing the site they

scape of the university, what buildings would had obtained for their Collere bn ldings at

it be advisable to underias at ouce, with the funds at preseut in sight, and what sum would it be necessary and advisa .ie to set asid, for maiulonan OO or endowment, looking to the conclusions arrived at under (a) ?

to mee

This

Taiping-shan, which is unsuitable and does not offer sufficient space for the larger scheme. and giving up the building plans which they had already fiually decided upon, and adopting a scheme of building which shoull be part of, or capable of expansion into the larger project The Court of the College has been in consultation with Mr. Ronia and my se'f for som time past and they have concurred in the rposals subject to certain conditions. But they hare some misgivings as to the vital question of the cost of maintaining the University when it has been erected. They rightly feel that they have for years past ben labouring to altain an object which at last they find to be ou the verge of atlainment, and they naturally do at wish to jopardise the results of their labours by being associated with a scheme which does not offer an equal assar-ucs of succ-8s. In other words the College of Medecine has

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The gentlemen whom propose to ask to adrian us on these points are specially qustied to decide on the staff and buildings, nud gvoeral cost of maintenance of Schools of Medioiue, Engineering and Law, and also to give us rʊugu estimates of the oust of the buildings required When we bar; the results of their deliberations before us, we shail be in a better position to decide how far we can embark upon this pro- jet, and what form our immediate action should tak.... As regards the first of the two questions, which I propose to refer to the Committee,—what staff is required and what its cost will by-there is nothing to inter- But 83 fere with an immediate reply.

several parlies in their little state but if they sufficient money for the buildings it require regards the second-how much money it is safe

elected him be dared to say that he would not disappoint them all. He could promise them that in any criticism of the constituted authority which he might be called upon to make he should try to avoid rancour. At the same time it would be his endear- our to maintain an attitude of outspoken independence (applause). When the Gor.za. ment appeared to him to be wrong he would say 80 and when he thought that they were right he would also

This later perhaps required the more courage of the two. In any case if they elected him he should draw courage

from their confidence and a double supply on occasions when he

say an

oculd ascertain that the collective

wisdom

of their committee endorsed the views he advocated;

when he conid believe that the members also agreed; when he could feel

that he had the most influential association in

the colony in a solid body at his back. Up till now he had not asked any member for his vote. He had made up his mind that even if he were 'opposed he would not canvas. This resolution did not arise out of any false pride but oat of the desire to do as he would be done by. He preferred to attend an election himself with his mind pan and his will free. He

and sufficisut funds, and promises of help. to enable it to at oure utilise these buildings to the full when erected. Has the proj-ctrl University any similar assurance? This brings me to the position of the Government towards this project and I wish to make that position absolut ly clear. I am ready to recommend

8 the Government the grant of site

to be which is considered by all

to

1

to insure the

to spend on buildings and how much should be devoted to maintenance sʊ as immediate and practical utility of the scheme, -it is clear that the Sub-Committee's report of will entirely depend upon the

the

a uut I feel confilent that money avail.bie. eutire community will recognise the import- ance of this project. It will place Hongkong in a unique position in the Far East. it will

fully no doubt attract to this Colony the sons of adequate and well adapted for the purpose. | we lthy and influential Chines's gentlem, n

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Bat farther than this the Government:

eff-c's apon and it will have far-reaching The I cannot in present circumstances go,

the prestige and influence of Great Britain It will, present and prospective liabilities which the, throughout the Chinese Empire. Gureram-ot las to face are such as to render

1 tlonk, bi

must important step it impossible for me to hold out hopes that any

taken in the recent history of this Cloy. 1 considerable grant for the maintenance of the

take therefore this opportunity of inviting Laiversity can be undertaken by Government.

those gentlemen whether European or Chinese whose interests are bound up in this Colony, Nor in such circumstances conld it be right for

iud ance British me in the position. I hold to encourage sach a

or who desire to B00

who would project if there should be any far that the extended in the Far East, or onus of maintenance would reatusly, in spite welcome & project

the would ass186

the ob, ú of what I have said, fall upon the Government.

frieu y impice I feel personally very optimistic about th

of her many success of the project, and I am enthuristically

suns are D.W seeking and can only obtain at anxious to see it take shape. I believe ths' it

i great o s', and by ex:le from their country, we can establish a University bere which will

to come forward and support Mr. Mody in offer equal and better facilities than Tokyo, we

bis munificet: donation, and enable us to gira shall attract here a large number of wealthy

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Lus Westeru ka-wiedge which

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