CO129-593-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 12-1-1946 - 27-10-1946 — Page 178

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DRAFT TELEGRAM

GOVERNOR, (26)

HONG KONG.

My telegram No. 378 and your telegram No.521.

Understand that the question has been raised of

source from which cost of minimum first aid

repairs to University buildings may be met.

University has no funds available to meet such

costs and will therefore be obliged either

(a) to secure an overdraft from the Hong

Kong and Shanghai Bank or

(b) to seek a further loan from the

Hong Kong Government.

(My despatch No. 22 of

the 24th May gives details of the loand already

made). If the recommendations of the Hong Kong

University Advisory Committee are accepted the

Treasury will be asked for a large sum from

United Kingdom funds in the fairly near future

for the permanent rehabilitation of the University

but it cannot be expected that this proposal

will be put to the Treasury in the immediately

future since the Advisory Committee's Report has

was then not yet been received and another be considered

in consultation with yourself and the

Foreign Office. Would you agree therefore that

the cost of immediate minimum repairs might be

made from Hong Kong Government funds, the

expenditure to be considered as recoverable from

any compensation awarded in respect of war

damage and losses. This would mean in effect

an advance payment in respect of any compensation

eventually awarded, but in view of the special

position of the University vis a vis the

Government you may decide that such a course

/could