No_1_May_and_June__1951 — Page 33

aur

E

LADY

HỌ TỪNG

IIOSTEL

FOR THE

HONG KONG

UNIVERSITY

The newly completed Hostel.

Detail of the entrance covered way from the

street.

When the plans for the extension and enlargement of the Hong Kong University at present under considera tion mature, it will take its place not only as the largest educational insti- tute in the Far East, but as one com- pletely equipped to provide the widest possible scope of cultural and profes sional training.

In the meantime, the enrollment of students increases annually and the pressing problem is to provide suitable accommodation for both male and female students within the precincts of the university and preferably ac commodation which in itself forms part of University life.

The hostels at present available, nuanely, Ricci, Elliot, May, Lugard, Morrison, St. John's and St. Stephen 'a Halls, cater to the male students ex- clusively, but the whole-hearted bene- volence of Sir Robert Ho Tung, with

his magnificent donation of $1,000,- 000.00, has made possible the erection of the first women's hostel of the University.

The ceremony of laying the corner- stone took place on 16th August, 1950, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. J. F. Nicoll, the acting Governor, who was accompanied by Mr. D. A. R. Colborne, A.D.C., Dr. L. T. Ride (Vice- Chancellor). Sir Arthur and Lady Morse, Sir Robert Ho Tung, Mr. Hugh Braga (architect for the building), and Mr. B. Mellor (Registrar).

The building was completed well within the scheduled period and was officially opened by Lady Grantham in the presence of a large and dis- tinguished gathering on 16th March, 1951.

The building was designed by Mr. Hugh Braga and Mr. K. Smith-Mitchell and in its completed form proves to be fully as attractive a structure as the preliminary drawings led one to expect. Standing as it does at an elevation on the Pokfulam Road above the West Point area it cannot be seen to its best advantage from the north side. On the other hand, the south- east elevation is obscured by the walls Lecessitated by the sharp rise of the Pokfulam Road at this point. Seen from the south-west elevation the building presents an aspect from which the various clements of the building design can best be viewed. The main compound, in which the tennis courts will be located, is in the foreground, while the entrance covered way to the main building forming one unit with the annex containing the Common Room and large Dining Room is set at an angle which juts from, yet blends with, the main mass of the dormitory section which dominates the design as a whole.

The reception lounge.

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