54147/46.
94
DRAFT TELEGRAM
GOVERNOR,
HONG KONG.
7
(26)
+
ry!
My telegram No. 378 and your telegram No.52: Understand that the question has been raised of
source from which cost of minimum first aid
repairs to University buildings may be met.
University has no funds available to meet such
costs and will therefore be obliged either
•I
(a) to secure an overdraft from the Hong
Kong and Shanghai Bank or
(b) to seek a further loan from the
Hong Kong Government.
(My despatch No. 22 of
the 24th May gives details of the loang already
made). If the recommendations of the Hong Kong
University Advisory Committee are accepted the
I I
Treasury will be asked for a large sum from
United Kingdom funds in the fairly near future for the permanent rehabilitation of the Universit
but it cannot be expected that this proposal
1
will be put to the Treasury in the imme
mmediately
future since the Advisory Committee's Report has
unes the not yet been received and another be considered
in consultation with yourself and the
Foreign Office. Would you agree therefore that the cost of immediate minimum repairs might be
made from Hong Kong Government funds, the expenditure to be considered as recoverable from any compensation awarded in respect of war damage and losses. This would mean in effect an advance payment in respect of any compensatio eventually awarded, but in view of the special position of the University vis a vis the
Government you may decide that such a course
/could