No_2_July_and_August__1953 — Page 8

build a larger edifice further up the road opposite the University Cricket Ground. A plece of land was granted by Government, and tentative plans were drawn up for rebuilding, but were abandoned when the Pacific hostilities broke out in 1941. When the Japanese attacked Hong Kong on 8th December, 1941, the old Hall was requisitioned by the Government for use as quarters for the Auxiliary Fire Service.

As the war progressed after the occupation of Hong Kong, conditions in St. John's Hall worsened, and by the end of 1945 the building itself was so thoroughly looted for firewood by the inmates and others that only four walls remained.

After the war, plans were at once made to rehabilitate the building. The Education Department agreed to rebuild the West Wing in exchange for three years lease of that wing without rent, so the West Wing was the first to be rebuilt in 1946. Six months later the East Wing was rehabilitated by a loan from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. In September 1947, the Hall was reopened with only the East Wing available for residence. This was designed to accommodate 40 students, but had to put up some 60 students for one term at the request of Dr. D. J. Sloss, the Vice-Chancellor, pending the reopening of May Hall.

KITCHEN

F

DINING HALL

+

$22

***.....

Floor plans and layout of buildings on site.

In July 1950, the West Wing was College the East Wing as well when duly relinquished by the Government the new St. John's College is after three years as the Northcote completed. Paul's Boys' College then took posses- Training College Primary School. St. sion of this Wing and proceeded at once to build another storey on top of it. It is hoped to hand over to the

Sketch of interior of chapel.

This new St. John's College scheme is the one that was first mooted in 1940 by Bishop R. O. Hall. It was not until after the Pacific War when Col. L T. Ride became Vice-Chancellor. and enthusiastically supported the College idea, which up to then had been the subject of many schemes by various architects, that it finally took definite shape.

Planning

The site is on Pokfulam Road opposite the University playing fields. It consists of a picturesque but steeply sloping hillside which at first sight appears to be impossible of development unless extensive excava- tion work was first carried out. The architect has, however, by means of a cross contour type of development. devised a scheme which obviates the necessity for this and at the same time provides ideal east-west orienta- tion for the buildings.

The scheme consists of two Halls. The Marden Hall, 9 floors high, for 131 men students, replacing St. John's Hall; and the Griffin Hall for 73 women students, replacing St. Stephen's Hall.

The general layout of the buildings which comprise the new St. John's College has been submitted and approval has been given with minor modifications to the scheme so far as was shown on the 116th scale plans. It was decided that lifts should be included for both Halls and this has made possible the addition of an-