548
THE HONGKÒNG WEEKLY PRESS AND
not
December 24, 1909*
by English Universities. I have been reminded make special preparations to qualify for entry both by his Lordship the Bishop and by the into the University, and I hope St. Stephen's Warden of those remarks which I made so long is determined to be fully and adequately repre- ago as December, 1907. In the following year, sented there. My lords, I make no apology 1908, I had the pleasure and privilege of for having devoted my speech to this subject the success of the laying the foundation stone of this extension. to-day. I hope that
financial morely be a I was then able, to again tell you that the scheme will
a, pressing project which had only existed in the previous success, though that indeed is year as an aspiration had to some extent taken matter at the present moment, but that success in securing sufficient shape, and that Mr. Mody had most generously it will be a come forward with an offer to give $180,000 for qualified students; for you must remember that the building of a University. (Äpplause:) I told those who matriculate at the University will you that I hoped to incorporate in that University have to have a thorough knowledge of English the existing institution of the Hongkong College in order that they may fully understand the lectures, which will bo delivered of Medicine, but I also told you that we had
that
the language. And I hope decided that it would be impossible to accept iu Mr. Mody's gift unless and until we could raise University, when adequately provided with an adequate endowment and equipment fund, funds and sufficient scholars, will have no Mr. Mody extended the time during which his difficulty in turning out graduates whose scholas- gift should be operative for another year in order tic attainment will be equal to students from Home Universities. I hope also that the to see whether we could raise funds which were estimated at something like a million and a quar-graduates of the Hongkong University will ter dollars. When speaking then, I said that I be most conspicuous for their high moral that they will be men whose Eur-had been tempted into a somewhat long digres- character;
sion about the University, because that project standard of life in whatever post they may would always remain associated in my mind occupy during their after career will be marked with this College, where the first words were by earnestness and uprightness of character as spoken that led to the project taking practical well as by the degree of their learning. (Hear, When built, the Uni- shape. Yet at that time it seemed a very long hear, and applause)
was with
will be very versity
a self-supporting institu- way off, and I confess it great misgivings that I contemplated the tion, just as St. Stephen's College is, and
of raising
it is therefore the parents and scholars of task before
who will benefit a sum for the endowment and equipment St. Stephens College
University. before you on
most by the institution of a fund. Once again. I come
the period I hope that this College may develop on the eve of the expiration of assigned, and I am more glad than I can say to the lines of our public schools, which are be able to inform you that at a meeting at self-supporting at Home, and become one of the Government House on the 13th instant, the leading and dominant institutions in the Colony. The (Applause.) I have now the greatest pleasure following resolution was passed:
in declaring this new extension to be opened and in wishing it for all time the most hearts success! (Great applause.)
whose days are spent here wish again to thank heartily the donors who in helping us to carry on our work more effectively have at the same time helped forward in no small degree the education of their sons. This hall in which we meet will be known as the Lai Kwai Pu. Hall in consideration of the handsome donation of $5,000 from the gentleman bearing that name, This name, together with the names of sub. scribers, will be recorded in a permanent form. To-day they have been written temporarily and perhaps had not now be further referred to seeing they were read in detail at the laying of the foundation stone. But one other point must be mentioned. Reference has been made to the confidence which the parents and guardians of the students have reposed in us, when they un- dertook to erect and to hand over to the College authorities this building without conditions We desire above all things that this confidence should be maintained. Yet trust can be kept alive only by reciprocity. The College Coun- cil, therefore, has decided to invite five Chinese parents to sit with three opeans on an Advisory Committee for the safeguarding and furtherance of the College. The difficulty of making selection among so many friends is great. Year by year the number of those interested in St. Stephen's has increased. But from among these gentlemen the following have been chosen : Hon. Dr. Hon. Mr. Wei Yuk, Ho Kai, C.M.G., C.M.G., Mr. Lai Kwai Pui, Mr. Chan Siu Ki, and Mr. S. W. Ts'o. The Council has the fullest confidence that such an Advisory Com- mittee will be of the greatest benefit, and it trusts that St. Stephen's College will continue its career under the same harmonious conditions as have been enjoyed during the first rearly 7 years of its existence. What I am able to do in this College is made possible only by the fact that I am supported by the best staff of masters a head ever had to work with. (Applause.).
the
us
So enormous
|
|
made for
terms of resolution 1-that is the resolution which laid down the minimum of the endowment fund considered necessary before
His Lordship BISHOP INGHAM, in pro- accepting Mr. Mody's gift and the adequacy of
2 vote of thanks to his . Excel- H.E. THE GOVERNOR was then asked to the buildings for the purpose of a University-posing
Warden open the wing. In doing so he said:-My Lord having been complied with to the satisfaction lency, stated that the honoured
of the committee the work of building the of the College was venerated and trusted Bishop, Ladies and Gentlemen,- t is hardly a year ago since I had the pleasure and privilege University may be commenced forthwith." by the C.M.S. in London as much as he was of laying the foundation stone of this very (Applause.) When I look back on that note trusted by the people in Hongkong. (Applause.)
and pocket-book, handsome and useful extension to St. Stephen's in my
I recall that The speaker thanked God, not only because first sug- his Excellency presided, but because he was College. As I have passed by from time to it was here that I made the
Governor seemed to be time I have watched its progress with the gestion that a year later I was able to say Governor of Hongkong at the present time. greatest interest, and I congratulate you most that the project had taken some shape, and The heartily upon its successful completion. When that to-day I am able to tell you the building critical moments. The speaker remembered His I laid the foundation stone a year ago the may commence forthwith, I feel that the pro- Excellency in Uganda, when at a critical Warden told us that in the six years during jected University is very intimately associated moment his statesmanship had a great deal to which St. Stephen's has existed the average with St. Stephen's. (Applause.) I hope that in do with the preservation of one of the Govern- ment's best assets. He also knew that the Gov- attendance had increased from seven to 125. I December of next year I may be able to be here am sorry to hear that during the past year it once more to say that the buildings are nearingernor had render d missionaries of the C.M.S. has not quite reached the latter figure, but I completion and that the balance of funds requir- great assistance in Nigeria. As one who tar hope that this is only due to some temporary ed has been fully subscribed. I hope that in ried only a little while here, his lordship was cause which will soon be removed. I am specially December, 1911, I may be able to congratulate literally amazed at the strategical position of glad to hear that this extension will provide St. Stephen's College on having secured a large this great outpost of the empire in South room for something like double the number number of pupils among those who matriculated China, and he saw visions of our being able, for the University. (Applause.) One word through th s' British possession, to do some of boarders which the previous college was
effective things to assist China to realise her able to accommodate. I atth, as I have often more regarding that project. When we came
truest, best hopes and desires in what she said, the very greatest impiance to this fact, to examine the plans for the buildings we
that in order to make them thor- sought.... for I don't think that the edition of character found and the enforcement of discipline and of controloughly adequate for the purposes in view can be adequately carried out where a school is limited entirly to day boys, and I believe that the best benefits of education are to be derived by those who are permanently boarders in the school. When I came to this Colony I was amazed at the number of schools we have here, and at the very large attendance which is in very many of them. I set to work to try and make myself acquainted with the special characteristics of each school and with its aims and objects; the number of these schools and their nationalities, the staff provided, and the class of education given. But there were so many of them that I noted down the results of my inquiries in a note book in order that I might familiarise myself and get to know all about each particular school. I was looking up that note book yesterday, and found this note in it, "St. Stephen's gives high class education and desires to be affiliated with the University in order to get English degrees and to prepare students for the University." This I noted before ever seeing St. Stephen's at all. Shortly after that I had the pleasure of distributing the prizes here at the end of 1907, and, bearing that note in mind, expressed the aspiration that
day or other we should see a University established in this Colony where the sous of Chinese gentle- men might obtain degrees equal to those given
some
small balance
the sum promised by Mr. Mody was quite insufficient, as the revised estimate of the cost was $235,000. Mr. Mody, with extraordinary generosity, has undertaken to erect the buildings according to the designs and to lay out the or even at greater. ground at that cost, (Applause.) We still, however, require to raise funds for the building of the stud- ents' quarters and for an anatomical labora- tory, and there is also a required for the equipment fund. I trust those who have the project at heart, and who have enthusiastically carried it through to the present stage-and amongst them I note the names of those most intimately associated with this College, the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, the Hon. Mr. Wei Yok, Mr. Chan Siu re- Ki and Mr. S. W. Tso-will not lease their efforts to emulate the generosity of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire and the Chinese community both in and beyond this Colony and the European firms who have generously come forward with subscriptions, and that we will see the funds fully subscribed I hope also to see before the end of next year. preparation made for hostels by the society which controls this College and by others. see the (Applause.) I hope above all to scholars of St. Stephen's, and other large institutions in this Colony, beginning to
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI, in seconding the resolution on behalf of the parents of the boys and the staff, said they were thankful to his Excellency even for his dreams, because his dreams had brought Hongkong a University. They were also thankful for the powerful aid of Bishop Ingham, who had promised to secure a hostel for students of the University.
Three cheers for his Excellency the Governor terminated the proceedings, and the visitors were then regaled with light refreshments in the new wing.
A Regalia Dance given by the members of the King Edward VII. Lodge R. A. Q. H. and K.G.H. was held in the R. G. A. Theatre on Monday night. The hall was decorated with flags and other bunting, and the general ar- on those rangements reflect great credit responsible, and the president Mr. S. Walton in particular. Dancing commenced at 9 o'clock and the lengthy and well selected programme was carried through without a hitch, the excellent music contributing to the enjoyment of the dances. Messrs. E. Č. Clark and J. H. Oxberry proved themselves to be efficient, M.C's and it was largely due to their unflagging zeal that all so fully enjoyed themselves. most successful and enjoyable evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.
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