サ
THE HONG KONG WEEKLY PRESS &
THE UNIVERSITY'S
£265,000.
HOW IT MAY BE UTILISED.
VICE-CHANCELLOR'S VIEWS.
[October 17, 1930
Story of the Grant.
The Vice-Chancellor very court- eously explained how the grant came about. In 1926 the Willing- don Commission was sent to China from London and, on receiving news of this, the University authorities framed a scheme of development and submitted it to the dele- gation for consideration. The dele- gation, however, did not come to Hong Kong. Canton at the time was
NO NEW FACULTY TO in the hands of a body of ex-
BE ESTABLISHED.
Mr. W. W. Hornell, Vice-Chan- cellor of the University of Hong Kong, interviewed last week by a representative of the Daily Press in connection with the grant of £265,000 to the University from the Boxer Indemnity fund, stated that the money, when received, would probably be invested in London.
Anticipating receiving interest of 4 per cent. on the money, the University would then be receiving an annual income of, roughly, £12,500, which at an exchange of 1/3d. would amount to $200,000 per
annum.
Asked how this money would be spent, Mr. Hornell said:-
"This is for the general funds of the University, and it seems unlikely that the University will start any new faculty, such as a faculty for Chinese.'
Local Government Grant Still
Needed.
The Vice-Chancellor was asked whether, in view of this new in- come, it would be necessary for the Hong Kong Government to grant an annual sum of $300,000 to the University. He replied:--
"It will be necessary for the Government to continue the grant of $300,000 which has re- cently been made. This annual grant is subject to re-considera- tion with reference to the dollar. The Government have distinctly stated in their letter that this grant is not to be repayable from the Boxer Indemnity."
Mr. Hornell pointed out that this Boxer Indemnity grant to the University did not absolve the Hong Kong Government from making its contribution. The Vice-Chancellor could not say when the money will be received here, but when it comes it will be applied to improve the efficiency of the University.
Higher Efficiency.
The general standard of the University, while high, needed but- tressing in several directions, and it is for this purpose that the funds will be applied. A better state of efficiency will be our aim," said the Vice-Chancellor.
"
As to the investment of the money in London instead of in Hong Kong, the Vice-Chancellor, in reply to a question by our repre- sentative, indicated that it was no easy task to find a 4 per cent. in- vestment in the Colony for such big sum.
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tremists who had during the pre- vious year worked up a general strike and a boycott against Hong Kong as a first step towards the elimination of British interests and influence in China. The delega- tion's report explained that the Chinese members did not like the idea of coming to Hong Kong unless they could at the same time visit Canton. However, Lord Willing- don came to Hong Kong personally before he left the East, and includ- ed in the report a eulogy of the University.
Million Pounds Asked For.
The University applied to the Delegation for a grant of over £1,000,000. At that time a Board of Trustees for the China Indemnity Fund was established in China, which meant that any application for a grant made to London would be referred back to this Board. However, towards the end of 1928, the idea of handing the money back to the Nanking Government (on condition that it was spent on British railway and other material) was adopted, and in May, 1929, be- fore the General Election in Great Britain, Sir Miles Lampson was negotiating with the Nanking Gov- ernment on this point. When the present Labour Government came into power they wanted more effec- tive safeguards, and Sir Miles Lampson again opened negotiations with the Nanking Government, with the result that he has now come to a settlement, and the allocation of £265,000 to the Hong Kong Univer- sity is part of that settlement.
The other £200,000 mentioned in Reuter's cable, said Mr. Hornell, was to be used to improve cultural relations between Great Britain and China in various ways, among which would be the bringing of Chinese lecturers to British Universities.
No Extension of Faculty. The Vice-Chancellor concluded the interview by saying:-" The application of the money granted to this University will depend on the University authorities, and on the Finance Committee and Council and the Court of the University, but I am not anticipating any new development except the bringing of this University to a greater state of efficiency.
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END
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