CO129-593-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45. Includes 32 photographs depicting-... 10-1-1945 - 20-1-1946 — Page 90

87

69

Miss Ruston. Mr. Paskin. Mr. Gent.

Dr. J.A. Venn, President of Queens' College, Cambridge, and formerly Vice-Chancellor, and a particularly keen member of the Asquith Commission, lunched with me the other day and showed keen interest in Hong Kong University. Dr.Venn spent several weeks in Hong Kong in the winter of 1931-2, and told me that he had then had many talks with the then Governor (Sir William Peel) about the future of the University, besides getting to know the then Vice-Chancellor and several members of the University staff. Dr. Venn also mentioned that he had recently been visited by Professor Herklots, who was Professor of Biology at Hong Kong University for many years and is just back from internment; he said that Dr. Herlots had many suggestions to make about the future of the University.

The late Secretary of state was anxious to take advantage of Dr. Venn's keen interest in Colonial higher education as opportunity arose, and I feel that he would be a valuable addition to the Hong Kong University Advisory Committee, if it is not too late. Had I realised that he had first hand knowledge of the University I should have suggested adding him to the membership of the Advisory Committee at a much earlier stage. None of the three Asquith Commissioners who have agreed to serve on the Committee (Dr. Priestley Professor Penson and Dr. Channon) have first hand knowledge of it.

If this suggestion is approved, it is desirable to get an official letter off to Dr. Venn as soon as possible. There is no need for us to sound hi

informally

Page 90Page 91