CO129-561-7 Hong Kong University 4-1-1937 - 22-9-1937 — Page 97

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to investigate the present, and probable future,

financial position of the Hong Kong University and

to advise whether any changes are desirable in its

staffing, personnel, salary scales or organization;

to enquire and advise whether any such, or other,

changes are desirable in the interest of its

utility or prestige;

to tender any other advice or suggestions for the

future of the University.

I have heard the suggestion made that we ought to get an

expert out from home for this investigation, but I feel

certain myself that our local conditions and circumstances

are so peculiar to ourselves that the first thing at any

rate, to do is to bring good, clear local brains to bear on

the problem and to have their summing up of the position and

their advice regarding it before we consider the expensive

proposition of obtaining outside opinion which, however expert

on the subject of University organization, would not be

expert in regard to the special circumstances and requirements

of the Far East. The gentlemen who will be invited to serve

on the Committee will be the Honourable Mr. N. L. Smith,

Colonial Secretary, the Honourable Sir Shouson Chow, Mr. J. R.

Masson and Mr. A. Morse, Honorary Treasurer of the University.

The membership is small, because I do not believe in unwieldy

Committees, but the Committee will take the evidence of all

who respond to its invitation or volunteer to appear before it.

And this brings me to a very sad part of my address, for

although the new year has only just begun, the long depressing

shadow of an event that will mark its close already falls

across this University. That event will be the departure

on leave prior to his retirement of our Vice-Chancellor, Sir

William Hornell. Of all who come forward to assist the

Committee of which I have just spoken nobody will bring with