3
205
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
82)
As the result Messrs B. and S. donated £40,000 to ondow a Chair and provide for equipment, British Manufacturers
prosented equipment with several thousands of punds, and so on, We therefore have our obligations.
Hong Kong University differs from proposed Colonial Universitics in that it is only partly a domestic concern.
The training of engineers for work in China itself hus always been our major concern.
It is not a question of establishing & Faculty in Engineering, with new buildings. This has been done already, and in spite of a lean period - 1925 /1935 approximately, when the members taking Electrical and Mechanical Engineering final courses foll away very badly, the Engineering Faculty has to a largo oxtont justified its existence. The Civil Engineer- ing Department has been healthy throughout and just before War broke out, chiefly owing to courses of post-graduate training at home, the Mechanical and Electrical Departments were roviving encouragingly.
Strength of Faculty well over the hundred mark in later years.
Our degrees recognised by institutions of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.
It would be particularly unfortunate to close down just, now. Almost certain it would lead to a 'whispering campaign' that the British were thinking of retreating from Hong Kong, Also it will be fearod that the same futo may soon be in storc
for the other Faculties.
The predominance of American trained Chinese Engineers, already alarming, will increase still further.
The University has been of great value to the Colony in various ways. For example, tho Matorials Laboratory has beon responsible for the testing of stecl, coment, concrete, ropos, etc., not only for P.W.D. but for architects, ots., the Government having no Laboratory of its own.
The Colony will certainly be the poorer for the loss of such service.
Professor Redmond then went on to say that he presumed that the dosire to abolish the English Faculty was influenced by the fact that it would be expensive to re-equip the Mechanicul and Electrical Departments.
In view of the fact that these two Departments were of special importance to British Manufacturers, an effort should be made through F.B. and B.E.A.M.A. to raise £100,000 £150,000 to sat those Departments on their feet again und to endow them parily. Failing this he would recommend the Zollowing:
The Civil Engineering Department be re-spond in full. Thero is always a local demand for Civil Engineers. The facilities for teach Civil Enginoers are good. Jest of oquipment and maintenance is comparatively low. The most urgent need is a well-equipped Materials Laboratory (which could do all Government testing as well)