CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946 — Page 72

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Sir Herbert Eason believed that no restart before the autumn of 1947 was possible. He thought that it was most important to have in Hong Kong a University that would maintain British prestige when it was compared with institutions supported by other nations.

Dr. Priestly expressed doubts as to the willingness of the British Government to meet the costs which should not be a charge on the sums assigned for the development of Colonial Universities under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.

Sir George Moss thought that before the Government was asked to provide the large sum required, they should be given an assurance that the University would be welcomed by the Chinese.

Mr. N.L. Smith called attention to the increase in the number of Chinese Universities since Lord Lugard founded the University of Hong Kong.

Professor Hinton was sure that there was an important place still for a British University which could provide higher teaching and organize opportunities of research.

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The Committee authorised Mr. Sloss to obtain such expert assistance as he could in the making of detailed estimates of equipment which would in any case be necessary whatever the basis on which the University was re-started, (especially for elementary teaching in Chemistry, Physics and Biology).

The Chairman obtained the approval of the Committee to the following propositions:

(1)

(2)

That they would like to see the University restarted in such a way as to carry out the pur- poses of the original founders interpreted in modern terms.

That they considered that in view of the incomplete but sufficient data brought out during the afternoon, it was not practicable to re-start the University, (except perhaps on a makeshift basis which they wished to avoid), by September next.

(3)

That in view of (2) they should defer for the time being asking for further data.

(4)

That at the next meeting they should proceed with Dr. Priestley's "Stage 1", by facing systematically the difficulties likely to stand in the way of putting into effect the wish expressed in (1) above.

(5)

That only very brief minutes should be circulated recording decisions reached in Committee.

The meeting closed at 4.45 p.m.