Z.
2
Mr. Sloss mentioned that the Committee had been considering the dosirability of extending training facilities for teachers in Hong
He asked whether Kong particularly for Chinese teachers of English.
such a project was likely to conflict in any way with the proposed activities of the Council.
218
Assuming that teachers trained in a British Colony would be acceptablo to Chinese provincial authorities, Mr. Fitzgerald Changes the nike field v was wide enough for the activities of both Council and University to be expanded.
In answer to a further question Mr. Fitzgerald replied that the Council would concentrate on the training of teachers for secondary schools who had already graduated.
Sir George Moss said 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 that Hɔng Kong University should sct itself a very high standard indood on this side. The question arose whether the staff as planned at the last meeting was strong enough. Tho Committee took the vicw that it was strong enough for a beginning but not for development.
In reply to a question from Mr. Cox as to whether in view of the 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 close co-operation between the authorities of the University and the Council's reprosenta- tives in China, and that both would assist in the mutual aim of spreading British ideas and British culture.
The Chairan thunked Mr. Fitzger:ld for his clour expositi n und the Committee then passed on to iter 3 of the agenda.
Mr. Slors said that the equipment position now appoured more favourable than he had dared to hope. Prices were certainly 50% higher than in 1939 but he now had an assurance from the Makers that if an order were placed now sufficient equipment for elementary Chemistry, Physics and Biology could be available in Hong Kong to start on a ronscnable basis in October. Mr. Closs said that providing the Comitiec agrood he proposed on the authority of the insinkroncy Execu- tivo. 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 ho had made with the examuning Board of the General Schools Examination for a matriculation best in Hong Kong. A telegram had been received from the Cvil. Affairs Administration reporting that thoro were 236 cndidates of whom 120 wore private students. Judging by past experience no more than 10% of those would pass tho examination. It would not be possible to pre- pare a final admission list before the middle or end of Septeuber,
H- then spoko
Professor Redmond, opposed the idea of entirely abolishing the Engineer ing Faculty on the following grounda:-
(3) When it was originally proposed to cetablish a University in Hong
Kong a strong case was pro forward for the tonohive of engineering, partly altruistic, but the idea that British prained engineers would further British Trade in China carriol much woight: and still dens,
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