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{
Athletic Grounds.
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the total cost of this scheme would be about $68,000 a year, of which about $40,000 would be the University's own contribution.
(7) In paragraph 37 of Chapter VI of the Report we propose that the University should apply to the educational Trusts for help for Chinese post- graduate students attending course for a Diploma in Public Health, and at various points we have referred to the help that should be sought from a like source or from private benefactors.
19. We considered fully the amenities of students' life at the University and first, the ade- quacy of athletic grounds.
(i) The members of the staff who are on the Committee were of one opinion on the low level of accomplishment of students in out- door games.
This was attributed in great part to the inadequacy of space available for games. It was pointed out that enthusiasm was killed when students went to the grounds and found themselves crowded out. This lack of interest and indifferent accomplish- ment is the more disappointing as it comes after a period of great enthusiasm. A small ground, about six acres in extent, serves about 350 men students for football, hockey, tennis and cricket; and, for the last three games, it is permanently in bad con- dition. This, perhaps, accounts for the interest taken in badminton and hand-ball played in the Gymnasium. The position of women students is still worse. One hundred and twelve of them have occasional use of three or four tennis courts and of the Gymnasium for badminton.
(ii) There is no suitable ground for games within miles of the University. Recognizing this, we recommend that Government should be asked to allot to the University a sufficient area of land for games when the reclamation of the Aberdeen Creek, that is believed now to be under discussion, is completed. The fact that the University could make full use of reclaimed ground may be offered as an additional reason for early reclamation of this area.
Students' Union.
Hostels.
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20. (1) Membership of the Students' Union is compulsory. In addition to providing a club that includes a tea-room, a library, and a debating room, the Union through sub-committees, organizes University games. The building is well designed but is much too small for the present number of students. Further, though women students are compelled to pay their subscriptions there is no separate accommodation of any kind for them. The building was erected out of a fund raised by private subscription. Though the Union is in a strong financial position, it has not the accumulated funds to face rebuilding or expensive extension. It must be assumed that, for many years, the University is unlikely to be in a position to help, nor are donations from the Chinese and other communities, likely to be forthcoming.
(ii) It is proposed, in order to give temporary relief, to assign to the Union the adjoining small bungalow hitherto occupied by a bachelor member of the staff. This by no means solves the difficulties of the Union, but it is the best that can be done at present.
21. (i) Men's hostels, both those maintained by the University and those maintained by mis- sionary bodies, are full. By enclosing some verandahs, about 18 additional places can be made in the University hostels. There will undoubtedly be a deficiency of accommodation in September next, at the beginning of the new academic year, and this may compel us to turn out of the hostels all or part of those students who have completed the minimum period of residence laid down by the University Regulations. Before proposing any extension of hostel accommodation, it is thought wise to wait to see if the increase of numbers in the University is likely to be maintained after the cessation of hostilities.
(ii) The Women's hostel, St. Stephen's Hall, is maintained by the Church Missionary Society. It consists of two not very suitable houses, and gives accommodation for 20 students. We learn that the Sisters of the French Convent have taken a house on the hill-side above the University and at present are converting it for use as a Women's
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