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THE UNION.

In the season 1927-1928 the University Cricket Club headed both the Senior and Junior Leagues. The increasing capacity of the students to manage themselves the various athletic clubs and the general business of the Union in all its varied activities, is most encouraging. The students themselves found it necessary to raise the annual subscriptions to the Union and the entrance fees. They agreed among themselves that this must be done and proceeded, with the approval of the Council, to carry the change into effect. Every student of the University has to join the Union.

The financial burden which the upkeep of the University Athletic Ground and certain other grounds and tennis courts elsewhere imposes on the Union was emphasised in the last report. Through the kind offices of Mr. W. H. Bell, the Asiatic Petroleum Company (South China), Ltd., gave $1,000 which enabled the University to repair two pucca tennis courts which had become useless. This was followed by a further gift from the same Company of $1,500 for returfing the University Athletic ground.

LAND AND BUILDINGS.

Provision is being made for the supply of nullah water to May and Eliot Halls for the purposes of flushing and cleansing. The work of laying the pipes and putting up the necessary tank is being carried out by the Water Authority. During the year under review the path which leads from the University Path to Lugard and Eliot Halls was completely reconditioned; the whole of the drainage system was also surveyed, defects being made good. The western end of the revetment wall between May and Eliot Halls caused some anxiety but thanks to the prompt attention of the Public Works Department the wall has been strengthened and made safe.

The University has very little money that it can afford to spend on its grounds. The gardeners employed are few and not particularly skilful. But the University estate has been kept in reasonably good condition and is a haven of quiet pleasantness not only for members of the University but also for those who live near.

The authorities welcome the latter, provided that they will behave themselves properly and not disfigure the place with litter and filth. Unfortunately, careless and ill-mannered visitors

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an

are becoming all too common. If the University's well disposed neighbours will not use their influence to prevent visitors to the University's grounds becoming, as they sometimes are, intolerable nuisance to those who live and work in the grounds, they may some day find that the grounds have been closed to the public. The University grounds are the private property of the University; they are in no sense either Government or public property.

The need for a responsible caretaker who would be in immediate charge of the grounds and buildings of the University is becoming more and more pressing. The proper care of such a considerable estate involves frequent inspection and unremitting All the work now falls on the Registrar and Vice-

attention. Chancellor.

STUDENTS' Residence.

During 1928 there were 257 students in residence.

Lugard Hall

Eliot Hall May Hall Morrison Hall

40

59

63

24

57

St. Stephen's Women's Hall

14

257

St. John's Hall

The health of the students was good and the general standard of discipline well maintained.

The increasing number of women students is making the need for an adequate and properly equipped hostel for them an urgent necessity. During the year under review a campaign to collect money for a women students' hostel was launched at a meeting organized by Mrs. Southorn at Government House, This meeting was addressed by Miss Maud Royden. influential committee is now trying to collect the which are considerable.

CONCLUSION.

An

necessary

funds

The University goes on. Its popularity and influence are growing, especially in the Colony of Hong Kong, and its general

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