CO129-625-4 Hong Kong University- rehabilitation (1951) 1-12-1950 - 30-11-1951 — Page 145

BROWN'S HOTEL,

DOVER STREET, W.1.

12th February, 1951.

141

6

Dear Mr. Adams,

I am sending you this note to amplify the details of the plans for expenditure, on building projects at Hong Kong University. I shall base my letter on the statement of the building programme which I understand was forwarded by the Hong Kong Government on 29th December, 1950.

Regarding paragraph one there is no need to comment. As far as paragraph two is concerned it is only necessary to say that the work on the rehabilitation of the Great Hall is proceeding rapidly and that the new roof is now on and the new reinforced concrete gallery in position. have floor, windows and doors finished and the Hall ready for use before the Congregation on 16th March.

We will

Regarding paragraph three, I have already completed all working drawings and calculations of the first block of staff flats. On my return the work on foundations will begin. Work on the Students Union should begin in March. Work on the extension to the Main Building has already begun. All these buildings. are to be completed by September 15th, of this year.

Paragraph four deals with the balance of the building programme. The problems that confront us here are the provision of certain accommodation at the ueen Mary Hospital, including a new Pathology building; the provision of new accommodation for Chemistry; a new Library; Dining Hall and, arising mainly out of the reorganisation of our general plan and the need to place the Library on a public thoroughfare if we are to obtain local aid, a new Pre-Clinical Centre.

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Since the statement was sent on 29th December it has been decided to start on new accommodation for the Chemistry section without delay. The cost of this building will be in the region of 700,000dollars.

For all these new projects we need steel and fittings which, since the American embargo have risen in price in Hong Kong and are now beyond all reasonable levels. It was for this reason that I was sent to Europe to see whether I could obtain more reasonable quotations.

I have now managed to obtain an option in Britain on all the fittings I need. I have obtained another option on Belgian steel (750 tons).

The details of our steel requirements are as follows:-

Staff Flats, Block 1. Staff Flats, Block 2.

55 tons

55 tons

Students Union

250 tons

Chemistry Building

60 tons

Main Building and Great

Hall Extensions

Medical Buildings

50 tons

280 tons

Total

750 tons

Prices/