CO129-593-6 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee papers 1-1-1939 - 31-12-1946 — Page 130

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Lecture Room (No. 8) shows a typical condition to be found in most of the lecture rooms: but new flooring, window frames decoration and the restoration of electrical fittings would render the room fit for use. The forthcote Science Block (Nos. 11-14) is the newest of the University Buildings. a depressing sight to see it stripped of its fine equipment and furnishing. But the building is at least in as good a condition as when the builders called in the carpenters, electricians and plumbers when the Block was being constructed 5 years ago. Structurally the building is sound, save for one temerature crack which could be easily repaired. If the requisite material were available the whole structure could be speedily rendered serviceable and might temporarily house the whole Faculty of Medicine. The Engineering Laboratories (Nos. 15-17) have suffered very little, and the Peel Laboratory is at present being used by the Naval Radio-Engineers.. The story in the case of the Schools of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and 3urgery is very similar (Hon. 18-21). Great devastation has been done in the Students' Hostels, Hay Hall, Eliot Hall and Lugard all, (see (08. 22-26). Mere, all floorboards, wooden stairways and joinery of every description have been removed by the local population for use as firewood. Sanitary Fittings have been wantonly destroyed or removed. Foundations, walls and roofs are 'sound, however, and repair would not be apossible. Concrete, instead of wooden, flooring might be considered, and the provisions of dormitory instead of cubicle accomodation for sleeping might cheapen the cost of residence for students. The staff residences (Nos. 3,27, 28) show that only superficial repairs are necessary and (es stated by Lt. Col. Amps) each building could be made ready for occupation by twelve men in a period of a fortnight. The libraries remain intact in structure, and virtually intact in their content (los. 29-31). This is the brightest spot in the present state of the University. The-Fung Ping Shan Library is a relatively new building and contains a fine collection of Chinese books. The Goneral University Library has a very large collection of works on all subjects. The Hankow collection has had some of its contents removed by the Japanese, but the majority of the books remain, The Medical Library is almos untouched, the greater part of it having been found in a locked store room in the ueen Mary Hospital. The personal libraries of several of the Professora vere also salvaged. All this was duc very largely if not entirely, to the sterling efforts of the Chinese Librarian, Mr.`Chan Kwan Po (3o.32) to whom all credit should be given,

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This, then, is the present condition of the University. The existing site is a splendid one and repair of the damaged builings could be carried out easily and rapidly once material becouce available. The need for the early reconstitution of the University is urgent, and the Commander-in-Chief, Rear Admiral Sir Cecil H.J. Harcourt, gives it very high priority. Further the need for economy becomes an increasingly apparent, if unwelcome, necessity. The dictates of both econo y and speed could be served by rehabilitating the existing premises. The writer of this memorandum would therefore make the following recommendations:

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That rehabilitation of the existing premises be commenced at once. The earliest priority should be given to the Horthcote Science Block, one or more of the Hostels and the staff Residences. Other buildings could be repaired later, even after the com, ncement of some of the University courses.

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