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4.
For many years the amount of building to be done in Hong Kong will be great. Insufficient housing affects every class in the Colony, and the situation is aggravated by the rapid increase in the population, by war damage and looting, as well as by natural decay among the older buildings. Moreover, fresh opportunities for local architects will be provided if it proves possible later on to undertake any large scale town-planning scheme. The provision of teaching in architecture by the University will therefore help towards the meeting of a social need that presses equally on the Government and on the population of the Colony. I am satisfied that it will be a material contribution in this Colony towards the objects that the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund was intended to achieve.
5.
Plans have been prepared, and tenders have been called for, in order that an early start may be made on the part of the building required by September next for engineering teaching. The tender accepted by the Building Committee of the University Council amounts, for the central building alone, to $448,500. In addition, lighting will probably cost $20,000 and furniture and furnishings $100,000. The total for completion of the work will therefore be about $568,500 or £35,535. On an estimate that about one third of the total expenditure is attributable to provision for architectural teaching, the University's application is for a grant of $189,500 or £11,850, not for the sum of £16,000 shown in paragraph 10(a) of my confidential despatch No.32 of the 17th February, 1949.
6.
Sketch plans for the new building for engineering, mathematics and architecture are enclosed with this despatch, and I trust that you will find it possible to support this application for a grant of £11,850 towards the cost of this building.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Mkhautam
GOVAR
GOVERNOR.
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