TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
SIR,
Will you kindly allow me a short space in your valuable columns for a few remarks I have to make regarding the Belilios Scholarships given for this year to St. Joseph's College? This is a matter of too great importance to be left aside, without first dispelling the darkness which surrounds it. I beg to call the attention of the Hon. Trustees of the scholarships, and the parents whose sons at present attend the above-named institution, to the disgraceful manner in which the Christian Brothers allotted one of the scholarships to a pupil who (as I am correctly informed) knows no more about English composition than a Chinaman does of the English language, when his whole knowledge of it lies in a few words.
There was no examination held this year, and the idea of giving away such valuable prizes without strictly examining the youngsters is certainly not a mark of good sense. Putting aside this infallible ordeal, it is the bounden duty of the Christian Brothers, as teachers, to weigh carefully each boy's merits, be he who he may, before rewarding the two best for English with the splendid gifts presented by one of our foremost promoters of education, Mr. Belilios.
No, the baneful power of influence ruled the day, and the lucky holder of the scholarship owes it to it, and not to his own abilities, the seat of honour he at present occupies. (I mean the one who had specially distinguished himself for English composition, as mentioned in yours of the 10th.)
I do not at all wonder at this state of affairs, for it is within the range of my experience to find that, in some cases, and especially in this instance, justice leans to the side where the purse pulls.
Trusting that these few remarks may be the means of effecting a change for the better, and thanking you for the kind insertion, I remain, Sir,
Yours truly,
LET JUSTICE BE DONE.
Hongkong, 13th January, 1885.
THE BELILIOS SCHOLARSHIPS.
THE BELILIOS SCHOLARSHIPS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS."
SIR,
With reference to a letter in your issue of to-day, as to the allotment of the Belilios Scholarships, I wish to state that those scholarships were allotted by the Trustees alone, on the report of the Inspector of Schools. This report was based on the results of the Government examination held last month. Neither the Inspector nor the other Trustees had any personal knowledge of the successful candidates; nor had the Christian Brothers anything to do with the selection in any way.
Yours truly,
E. J. EITEL,
Trustee, Belilios Scholarships.
Hongkong, 14th January, 1885.
China Mail 1885-12-12
China Mail 1885-12-12
The annual Government examination of the pupils of St. Joseph's College by Dr. Eitel, the Inspector of Schools, began yesterday at 10 a.m., and ended today at 4 p.m.