Enclosure /.
8 in 3572/1919.
sir,
591
Colonial Secretary's office,
Hongkong, 21st February,
1921.
I am directed to state, in view of the importance of ascertaining
and of developing the economic resources of the Colony, this Government
has decided that a Geological Survey should be undertaken as early as
possible and for this purpose it has been suggested that it might be
possible to obtain the services of an officer of the Indian Geological
Survey.
The Colony of Hongkong including the New Territories has an area
of about 400 square miles. In the southern portion of this area the
rocks are igneous, but on the north sedimentary strata are found which
appear for the most part to be barren of fossils. There would therefore
seem to be more scope for an officer interested in petrology or mineralogy
than in paleontology.
It is considered probable that the survey could be completed in a
year, and arrangements are now being made for the carrying out of as much
preliminary work as possible so that delays may be avoided and the time of
an expert used to the best advantage,
The cool season, which begins in September and lasts until March or
April, would be the time most suitable for field, work, and it would
therefore seem advisable that the survey should be begun if possible in
September 1921.
In these circumstances I am to enquire whether it would be possible
for the services of an officer of the Indian Geology Survey to be lent
to this Government, and if so on what terme.
The Director,
Geological Survey of India,
INDIA.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(sd.) CLAUD SEVERN
Colonial Secretary.