COPY.
From Colonial Secretary to Lady Paget.
8494
(9).
Rec'd
7 MAR 07
Madam,
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 21st December, 1908.
In reply to your letter addressed to His Excellency the Governor on the subject of the proposal to place the Nurses employed by the Hongkong Branch of the Colonial Nursing Association under the care and control of the Colonial Government, I am directed to inform you that the Government is prepared to accept the terms set out in your letter subject to the modification that quarters for three instead of two Nurses will be provided in the Staff Quarters (to which the Government is prepared to make the necessary addition) at the Government Civil Hospital.
2.
I am to point out that it is impracticable to accommodate the Nurses at the Victoria Hospital, and that the Sisters at that Hospital are too busy to admit of any of them undertaking the supervision of the Nurses; and that it seems desirable to provide quarters for a third nurse having regard to the increase which is taking place in the European population.
3.
I am to add that this extra accommodation is to provide for future increase in the Nursing Staff and that the Government does not bind itself now to engage more than 2 nurses.
I have etc.,
(Sgd.) T. Sercombe Smith,
Colonial Secretary.