3.
2
Mr. Sloss mentioned that the Committee had been considering the dosirability of oxtonding training facilities for teachers in Hong Kong particularly for Chinese teachers of English, He asked whother such a project was likely to conflict in any way with the proposed activities of the Council.
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Assuming that touchers trained in a British Colony would be acceptable bo Caineso provincial authoritice, Mr. Futeschuld thought this the field v was wide enough for the activitios of both Council and University to be expanded.
In answer to a further question Mr. Fitzgerald roplied that the Council would concentrate on the training of touchers for secondary schools who had already graduated.
Sir George Moss suid that since it appeared that Chinese Universities, with the assistance of the British Council, were going to have better English departments than in the past, it was vital thut Hong Kong University should set itself a very high standard indood on this side. The question arose whether the staff as planned at the last meeting was strong enough. The Committee took the vicw that it was strong cnough for a beginning but not for development.
In reply to a question from Mr. Cox us to whether in view of tho Council's plans he would regard the project of an expanded University in Hong Kong as wasteful duplication. Mr. Fitzgerald replied that,
on the contrary, ho felt that there should be very cl.se c-cporation between the authorities of the University and the Council's roprosenta- tives in China, and that both would assist in the mutual aim of sproding British ideas and British culture.
The Chrinan thunked Mr. Fitzger:ld for his cleur expositi.n and the Committee then passed on to iter 3 of the agendu..
Mr. Sloss said that the equipment position now appeared more favourable than he had dared to hope. Prices were certainly 50% hi_her than in 1939 but he now had an assurance from the Makers that if un order wero placed now efficient equipment for clenontary Chemistry, Physics and Biology could be available in Hong Kong to start on a reasonable basis in October, Mr. Sloss said that providing the Committeo agrood he proposed on the authority of the Engineering orney Execu- tive. Committee (which was being established by Order in Council and to
which reference was made at the lust meeting) to place an order.
4.
5.
Mr. Sloss also reported on the arrangements which he had made with the examining Board of the General Schools Examination for a matriculation tect in Hong Kong, A telegra had boon received from the Civil“ Affairs Administration reporting that there were 236 candidaice of wher 120 wore priveto students. Judging by past experience no more than 10% of those would pass the examination, It would not be possible to pre- pure a final admission list before the middle or end of Septouber,
Professor Rodmond opposed the idea of entirely abolishing the Engineer ing Faculty on the following rounds;-
(1) When it was originally proposed to establish a University in Hong
Kong a strong enso was put forward for the touching of engineering, partly altruistic, but the idea that British trained engincurs would further British Trado in China carriod ruch weight: and still dong
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