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Mr. Sloss mentioned that the Committee had been considering the dosirability of extending training facilities for tauchers in Hong Kong particularly for Chinose touchers of English, He asked whether such a project was likely to conflict in any way with the proposed activitics of the Council.
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Assuming that teachers trained in a British Colony would be acceptable to Chinese provincial authoritios, Mr. Fitzgerald thought that the field v was wide enough for the activities of both Council and University to be expanded.
In answer to a further question Mr. Fitzgerald replied that the Council would concentrate on the training of teachers for secondary schools who had already graduated.
Sir George Moss said that since it appeared that Chinese Universitios, with the assistance of the British Council, were going to have better English departments than in the past, it was vital that Hong Kong University should set itself a very high standard indood on this side. The question arose whether the staff as planned at the last meeting was strong enough. The Committee took the view that it was strong enough for a boginning but not for development.
In reply to a question from Mr. Cox as to whether in view of the Council's plans he would regard the project of an expanded University in Hong Kong as wasteful duplication. Mr. Fitzgerald replied that,
on the contrary, ho felt that there should be very close co-oporation between the authorities of the University and the Council's representa- tives in China, and that both would assist in the mutual aim of spreading British ideas and British culture.
The Chainn thunked Mr. Fitzger:ld for his clear expositin and the Committed then passed on to iter 3 of the ugonda.
Mr. Sloss said that the equipment position now appeared muro favourable thun he had dared to hope. Prices were certainly 50% higher than in 1939 but he now had an assurance from the Makers that if un order werc placed now sufficient equipment for elementary Chemistry, Physics and Biology could be available in Hong Kong to start on a reasonable basis in October. Mr. Sloss said that providing the Committec agrood he proposed on the authority of the Engineeringncy Execu- tivo. Committee (which was being established by Order in Council and to
which reference was made at the last mecting) to place an order.
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Mr. Sloss also reported on the arrangements which he had made with the examining Board of the General Schools Examination for a matriculation test in Hong Kong. A telegram had been received from the Civil Affairs Admnistration reporting that there were 236 candidates of whon 120 wore private students. Judging by past experience no more than 10% of those would pass the examination, It would not be possible to pre- pare a final admission list before the middle or end of Septorber,
Professor Redmond opposed the idea of entirely abolishing the Engineer. ing Faculty on the following grounds:-
(1) When it was originally proposed to cstablish a University in Hong
Kong a strong case was put forward for the teaching of ungineering, partly altruistic, but the idea that British trainod engineers would further British Trade in China carried much weight: and still dens.