32203
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molosure 0.1 in Sir John Jordan's 19.278 of Au
H.M.Minister to Wai Wu Pu! CFP Bebru AUG 261809.
Memorandum.
322
Sir John Jordan has received from Sir F.Lugard, Governor of Hongkong, a letter on the subject of establishing a Univer- sity in the Colany, and inviting the cooperation of the Chinese coverment in this project, which arose from the offer of a public spirited citizen to pay for the necessary buildings.
These have been estimated to cost about $300,000, and a
It is further cal- site is to be provided by the Government. culated that a sum of at least £10,000 will be required to fur-
annual endowment fund
rish and equip the buildings, and that an
of not less than £6,000, exclusive of Government grants, will
be necessary for the purposes of the University.
The objects which the University will hold in view will be principally, to afford to Chinese youths an opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of applied science and medicine, and thug to cooperate with existing educational institutions in China
surveyors, electric- in supplying the Empire with the engineers, ianefnd medical men who are so urgently needed at the present
From its proximity to time for the development of the country. China, and its extensive engineering verks, ship building yards
and hospitals, Hongkong offers unrivalled facilities for the rosecution of such studies: and it is hoped that the estab- lishment of this institution may afford a practical proof of the Colony's earnest desire to maintain and strengthen the tra- ditional friendship which exists between the two countries.
In requesting the Chinese Government to give favourable consideration to the proposal that they should cooperate fin- ancially in this scheme, Sir John Jordan refrains for the pre- sent from entering into all its details, but is prepared to fur- nish any further information which the Board may require. should however mention that an early decision would be acceptable since the donor of the buildings, being anxious to see the Uni- versity inaugurated during his lifetime, has fixed a limit of six months time,
dating from Jan.1, 1909, during which his offer remains open.
He
Sa/ J.B.Jordan