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 14

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Hydraulics Laboratories and a store for Surveying and other equipment.

The second floor was to be devoted to lecture rooms and offices and the

third to Drawing Offices (convertible into a spacious Examination Hall).

(b)

(2)

A Surveying Bungalow in the Now Territories at a cost of about

£1000.

The site for this had already been selected and surveyed

(and I believe the expenditure had been sanctioned).

It is highly desirable that the construction of these two buildings

should be put in hand as soon as funds permit. Further reference to

(a) will be found below.

The Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Departments.

With the opinion, so often expressed, that these two Departments

have been a failure and can never be anything else, I honestly cannot

concur. Under wise direction and with the friendly cooperation of

British firms in Hong Kong and the U. K. they can I believe be

operated successfully. Is is however obvious, judging by the opinions

expressed at the meeting on the 25th. March, that there is not the

slightest hope of reopening these departments on a full-strength basis

entirely at the University's expense. The money required to do so

must be obtained from some other source. The only suggestion I can

offer, in this connection, is an appeal to the British Engineering

firms specially interested in China trade. They, more than anyone,

will be affected by the closing down of these departments. If the

F. B. I. and B.E.A.M.A. can be persuaded to give their powerful support

to such an appeal there is a fair chance of success. The sum of (say)

£100,000 raised in this manner would go far to solve the problem of

what to do with these two departments.

Alternative Proposal.

If the necessary funds cannot be raised by

the means suggested the question remains as to what is the best scheme

for

Λ

of training students desiring to become Mechanical and Flectrical

Engineers.

Assuming, for the moment, that a six-year course of training is

desirable, which of the following is the better choice-