CO129-572-17 Proposed provision of new hospital for treatment of infectious diseases 20-4-1938 - 16-5-1938 — Page 6

No. 322.

AIR MAIL.

Sir,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG,

20th April, 1938.

I have the honour to invite your attention

to the provision which is made under Head 34, Public Works Extraordinary, Sub-head 45, on page 107 of the approved Estimates for 1938, for the expenditure during

this year of $50,000 on work in connection with the

erection of a new Mental Hospital, the total cost of which is estimated at $300,000.

2.

At the time when the Estimates were presented

it was explained that this work would not be commenced

until after the new Director of Medical Services had

arrived in the Colony and had reviewed the whole question

of Government hospital accommodation. This has now been

done and the Director of Medical Services reports that

though he considers the provision of a new Mental Hospital most desirable he is of the opinion that the Colony's most pressing need on the medical side is a new hospital

for the accommodation and treatment of infectious diseases

which he recommends should be put in hand without delay. I am in complete agreement with this opinion and, subject

to your approval, I propose that the sum of $50,000

referred to above should be re-allocated to a new sub-head

in the same vote under the heading of New Infectious Diseases Hospital.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

W. G. A. ORMSBY-GORE, P.C., M.P.,

&C.,

&C.

&c.

4.

G