time of emergency.
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A bomb-proof vault, in which valuable exhibits could be stored, would be worth considering. Uniformity of temperature and humidity would result in a far longer life of the specimens.
2. It is highly desirable that all exhibits, save those not protected, should be housed in scientifically designed, artistic, metal and glass, dust-proof cases.
3. A lecture hall-designed for this purpose with correct acoustic properties— equipped with a first class epidiascope lantern and a cinematograph lantern for the projection of pictures, slides and films of special interest should be included in the building. This room should be built to hold at least 300 persons. If the scheme is in conjunction with a City Hall then such a hall would fulfil this purpose.
4. A smaller room should also be included which could be used by societies for their meetings, e.g., Hong Kong Horticultural Society, Aquarium Society and a Natural History Society (which would certainly be inaugurated). Such a room should be equipped with benches (with water and electric-fittings) with blackboards (ground glass or concrete) and with a small epidiascope lantern and screen. number of exhibits could also be permanently housed in this room as well.
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5. A large preparation room, or two smaller rooms equipped with benches, water, gas and electricity and with a dark room for photographic use, are absolutely essential.
6. A research laboratory for the use of the Curator and visiting scientists is also essential.
7. A small library and reading room open (on conditions) to the public is highly desirable. A great deal of scientific literature could be obtained free and certain journals could be purchased or obtained in exchange for the museum's publications. If this library is contained within the air-conditioned wing the University might consider the housing therein of the more valuable books on Chinese art from the Hankow library. The coloured plates are particularly susceptible to changes in humidity; examples of such books are the volumes of the catalogue of the Eumorfopoulos collection.
8. The rooms, in which the exhibits are to be staged, must be well lit, spacious and attractively furnished. There is an abundance of literature on museum design and furniture so no difficulties should be experienced.
9. We consider that provision should be made for the following rooms:-
2 rooms for prehistory, archaeology and geology.
2 rooms for ethnographic sciences to illustrate racial settlement and
migration.
2 rooms, in addition to a central hall, for Chinese arts to include in parti-
cular porcelains, paintings and bronzes.
1 room devoted to marine biology.
1 room devoted to terrestial biology.
2 rooms devoted to industries representative of China, e.g., silk, tea,
porcelain and paper.
A minimum total of 10 rooms in addition to central hall.
IV. MUSEUM.
(a) Reasons for establishment.
It is highly desirable for many reasons that Hong Kong should possess a museum worthy of its situation.
In the British Empire it is unique in being an island situated at the extreme S.E. corner of Asia and just within the tropics. Its fauna, flora and prehistory