17
See 13
X
and Ma sloss
cost of these repairs is Hong Kong $350,000 (£21,875). The grant for the year 1941/42 which the Hong Kong Government made to the University was approximately £23,000.
(39) & (40). I have registered copies of these telegrams on this file on account of the references marked X. I do not understand why it should be thought in Hong Kong that the grant of £70,000 to the University was to come from United Kingdom Government funds. No such suggestion, as far as I know, was, ever made, and the basis of our approach to the Treasury for authority to make £100,000 available to the University was that this sum represented approximately the amount that the University would have received from the Hong Kong Government over the period of the Japanese occupation on the basis of the grant provided in the 1941/42 Budget.(This was approximately £23,000 see above). The despatch at (34) makes the matter quite clear. I think therefore that paragraph 4a of 40 might have been worded differently, and with Mr. Palmer's agreement I am telegraphing as in the draft opposite.
(41) is curious. It is possible that Mr. Moss was responsible for the impression locally that this grant was being made from Imperial funds.
(42) will I hope finally clear the matter.
The only action now outstanding on this file is the question of obtaining approval of the Provisional Powers Committee to the use of the Government grant to the University for the current year being used for the purpose of repairs as requested in the last sentence of paragraph 2 of (38). The main part of this telegram is being dealt with on 54147, has said in (36) on that file, that he will send a note asking Mr. Caine and myself to examine the estimates. approve
ite wair but
3 To Governor Hong Kong. Yov. TEL. 631.
1.8.46
2.8.46.
44
2.7. Sloss
Mr. Hastings.
6.8.46
Would you please see the Order in Council at (23) and the University Ordinance and Statutes contained in the University Calendar, which I have inserted loosely in the file, and advise on the following three points :-
(a) Is it in order for the Provisional Powers Committee to make new appointments to the staff of the University?
When you drafted the Order in Council, Mr. Sloss was anxious to limit the powers of the "Bureauracy", but he is now interviewing candidates for the University staff and seeks the approval of the Provisional Powers Committee to their appointments, In looking at the Order in
/Council