Copy of letter dated 25th June, 1937 to the Registrar of the University of Hong Kong from the Secretary of the
Universities Bureau
14
By Air Mail
Dear Sir,
The circulation of information regarding the vacancy in the appointment of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong has not resulted in many applications. Those which have been received are from Dr. L.H.D.Buxton, Professor J.Y.T.Greig, Mr. G.W.Rossetti and Mr. D.J.Sloss. Of these Dr. Buxton with- drew his candidature. Of the others Mr. Sloss and Mr. Rossetti were interviewed by a Selection Committee consisting of Mr. A. Mayhew, of the Colonial Office, Sir William Peel, Dr. T.Franklin Sibly, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, and myself as Chairman • The Committee also considered the qualifications of Professor Greig and had the benefit of the advice of Dr. Sibly, who is personally acquainted with Professor Greig.
After seeing Mr. Rossetti the Committee had no doubt that he was as yet too young for the appointment and that he might con- ceivably be ruining his whole career, which may be a brilliant one, by being appointed to this office. Mr. Sloss's record is set forth in the attached papers. I am forwarding with this copies of testimonials received from Professor 0.Elton, Professor W.G.Fraser, Sir Benjamin Heald and Sir Hector Hetherington. The only doubt in the minds of the members of the Committee regarding Mr. Sloss's fitness for the appointment was his age, but when they interviewed him they were convinced that his mental and physi cal powers were such that he could well bear the burden of a five years' appointment at the University of Hong Kong. His brilliant administrative experience in Rangoon speaks for itself. He or- ganised the whole University system and as Principal of University College, the larger of the two constituent Colleges of the Univer- sity of Rangoon, he played a most prominent part in University life and administration. He was behind the scenes the virtual Vice- Chancellor, the actual Vice-Chancellor being a non-educationalist, generally a Judge of the High Court. During his time as Principal he had many difficult problems to face, including the reduction of salaries in the slump period and a serious strike of students. In connexion with the latter incident he displayed force of character and resolution. The members of the Committee believed that this