CO129-467 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1921 [1-5] — Page 598

Enclosure /.

8 in 3572/1919.

sir,

591

Colonial Secretary's office,

Hongkong, 21st February,

1921.

I am directed to state, in view of the importance of ascertaining

and of developing the economic resources of the Colony, this Government

has decided that a Geological Survey should be undertaken as early as

possible and for this purpose it has been suggested that it might be

possible to obtain the services of an officer of the Indian Geological

Survey.

The Colony of Hongkong including the New Territories has an area

of about 400 square miles. In the southern portion of this area the

rocks are igneous, but on the north sedimentary strata are found which

appear for the most part to be barren of fossils. There would therefore

seem to be more scope for an officer interested in petrology or mineralogy

than in paleontology.

It is considered probable that the survey could be completed in a

year, and arrangements are now being made for the carrying out of as much

preliminary work as possible so that delays may be avoided and the time of

an expert used to the best advantage,

The cool season, which begins in September and lasts until March or

April, would be the time most suitable for field, work, and it would

therefore seem advisable that the survey should be begun if possible in

September 1921.

In these circumstances I am to enquire whether it would be possible

for the services of an officer of the Indian Geology Survey to be lent

to this Government, and if so on what terme.

The Director,

Geological Survey of India,

INDIA.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(sd.) CLAUD SEVERN

Colonial Secretary.