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and comprehensive museum is quite outside the present requirements of Hong Kong and should not now be envisaged.
Suppose, for example, that one exhibit consisted of a series of models illustrating the different types of fishing boats used in S.E. China, there would be no objection to including for comparison a limited number of examples from adjacent regions, e.g., N. China, Indo-China, Formosa, Malaya and Borneo; the Chinese element must, however, always predominate.
In the last City Hall Museum there were inter alia a collection of Australian parrots, mineralogical specimens from Wales, old clocks, etc..-such exhibits are undesirable and should never be admitted into the new museum.
(c) Methods of fulfilling the objects.
Much will depend on the initiative and energy of the Curator and on the willingness of Government Departments to co-operate with him. It must be apparent that visible results will take time to prepare. In consequence, it might be advisable to start with one section at a time and when a representative exhibit had been arranged it could then be made available to the public and left as it stood whilst the energies of the Curator and his assistants were devoted to another section.
I. EXISTING COLLECTIONS BELONGING TO GOVERNMENT.
1. CHATER COLLECTION.
Provision should be made for the exhibition of a part of the collection of paintings and drawings by Chinnery and his pupils. These, and the other prints and drawings, could be changed frequently and the rest of the collection could be available for students at any time on special request.
The collection of porcelains consists of 17th, 18th and 19th century wares, imitating a small group of Chinese ceramics of the K'ang-hsi period of the Ch'ing dynasty. These are by no means representative of Chinese ceramic art and the ex- hibition of more than a selected few would be tedious and misleading to the public and absolutely of no value to students. Mr. R. L. Hobson, Keeper of the Depart- ment of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum, has seen this collection and we believe that our statements are in agreement with his views. There are two dishes of the Cheng-te period of the Ming dynasty of moderate interest and these are worth exhibiting.
2. OLD CITY HALL MUSEUM COLLECTIONS.
On the 30th September, 1937, a report on the existing collections was sub- mitted. The signatories recommended the destruction of the majority of the speci- mens, which had been damaged by insects, dry rot, neglect and by the typhoon of September 2nd. Among the specimens to be kept are a number of marine shells (many un-named) and an interesting collection of named fresh-water shells. These collections should be included in the New Museum collections.
3. COLLECTIONS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER,
These, consisting of geological and mineralogical specimens collected during the the survey of Hong Kong and of four funerary urns from Sha Tin and Sheung Shui, could be transferred to the New Museum.
4. THE LAMMA EXCAVATION COLLECTION IN RICCI HALL.
This is at present in the custody of the Jesuit Fathers at Ricci Hall and could be transferred to the New Museum.
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II. COLLECTIONS TO BE MADE FROM LOCAL MATERIAL.
1. ARCHAEOLOGY.-This is a large branch and the amount of work required to clear up problems that already confront us will take years but something might he arranged and displayed after a few months time with the help of loan collections.
2. NATURAL HISTORY. Here again a vast field presents itself but one or two groups might be tackled and completely dealt with in a short time, e.g., the Snakes, of which about 30 species are known. A representative collection of Butterflies might be displayed after a very short time possibly supplemented by lean collections.
3. GEOLOGY.—A representative collection of the rocks and minerals of the Colony could be arranged almost immediately.
The museum must have its own journal er access to a journal of established repute. We suggest for consideration that the Hong Kong Naturalist, now in its ninth year, should be considered as convenient medium for the publication of researches. The writing and publication of simple books would follow naturally and here co-operation with the University and Education Department would be most valuable.
(d) Finance of the Museum.
We think it probable that the Empire Grants Committee of the Museums Association would make a grant towards the initial cost of the building and its equipment. Our Chairman spoke some years ago to the Secretary of that Committee, Mr. S. F. Markham, on this subject and was told that no grant would be considered unless :--
(1) A properly qualified Curator were appointed.
(2) The authorities concerned gave definite proof that they intended to continue active support of the institution. The first annual report and other relevant papers are included in the Appendix as enclosures B. C* and D*.
2. The Colonial Development Fund might be willing to give a grant towards the initial cost. The Hon. Mr. S. Caine was at one time Secretary of this Fund and could be asked for his advice.
3. It is probable that certain wealthy Chinese might be willing to make dona- tions, if approached in the right manner. We think the best way of acknowledging such donations would be to follow the custom in force at the British Museum, where a tablet is affixed to the wall on which is inscribed the details of the gift. This would obviate a difficulty that might arise were a room named after the donor; he might wish to exhibit his own gifts or loans and expect that his advice be sought on its use.
If and when a public appeal is launched for gifts of money towards the building or endowment, emphasis should be laid on the fact that the museum is for the Chinese and for the study of Chinese art and natural history, and that therefore the idea should especially appeal to the cultured Chinese of the Colony.
4. We consider that an endowment fund should be established, the revenue from which would be devoted to museum interests. A possible way of augmenting this would be by Government releasing a special postage stamp issue and devoting the entire profits from the sale to the fund.
A number of the Chinese and foreign business firms might be willing to give an annual grant to this fund. Appeals might be launched through the Chambers of Commerce represented on the Board of Directors.
5. Government should be prepared to meet annual charges of upkeep and salaries. Here it must be mentioned that no museum of this type should be con-
* See Appendix II for enclosure B. Enclosures C and D are not printed.
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