Sessional_Paper_1937 — Page 159

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REPORT OF THE

UNIVERSITY (1937) COMMITTEE.

1. We were appointed by His Excellency the Governor immediately after he had, as Chancellor of the University, announced such an intention first to the Court of the University on 15th December, 1936, and subsequently at the Congregation held on 4th January, 1937.

2. The Hong Kong University is an institution constitutionally separate from the Government of the Colony, and our appointment by the Government, rather than by the University itself, indicated that the continuance or the amount of the annual subsidy from public funds might in any year become a budgetary issue.

3. The Council of the University later associated itself with our appointment by a resolution, passed unanimously on the 5th February, 1937, promising the Com- mittee all possible assistance in its endeavour from the University as a whole.

4. Our terms of reference were as follows:

(i) To investigate the present, and probable future, financial position of the Hong Kong University and to advise whether any changes are desirable in its staffing, personnel, salary scales or organization;

(ii) To inquire and advise whether any such, or other, changes are desir-

able in the interest of its utility or prestige;

(iii) To tender any other advice or suggestions for the future of the

University.

5. Our first action was to advertise in the local press our terms of reference and to invite expressions of views from the public.

6. On 25th January we instructed our Secretary to address the Government in the following terms:-

"Sir,

University (1937) Committee.

At a meeting of the above Committee held on 25th January, 1937, it was decided that, without waiting for its final report, the attention of the Government should be drawn to the serious situation arising from the early departure of His Excellency the Chancellor and the announced intention of the Vice-Chancellor to take leave towards the end of 1937 prior to retirement.

2. In the opinion of the Committee it is urgently necessary to consider the selection of a suitable successor to Sir William Hornell.

3. The Committee also feels strongly that the new Vice-Chancellor should be in the Colony before Sir William Hornell's departure, even if some additional expense is thereby entailed.

THE HONOURABLE,

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY,

I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,

(Sd.) J. H. B. LEE, Secretary, University (1937) Committee.

HONG KONG.