Mixvzes of a-meeting of the Committee of the Chinese Polytechnic Institution and Reading-Room, held at the C. M.
Company's Head office, on Friday, April 2nd, 3875.
Present—Messrs. Hsii-Chung-hu, Tong King-sing, A. Wylie, T. W. Kingsmill and J. Fryer, Ow'the motion of Mr. Wylie, Mr. Fryer took the Chair, Mr. Fayer stated that the meeting had been called at the suggestion of Mr. Med-burat, principally with the view of coming to a final determination respecting the purchase of Jand and the erection of a building, as well as to report upon the progress Uhat was being made by the Institution generally.
Mr. Kixesannn explained, by reference ton plan of the Settlement, the position and advantages of a piece of land on the Hankow Road, for which he had been for some time negotiating. As, however, he could not positively guarantee that a road would be opened hereafter by the Municipal Council, giving proper access and frontage to this laud, it was agreed that some other place must be found.
Mr. Hsii-Cuono-uv stated that both he and his father lad spent much time, and had taken a great deal of trouble in endeavouring to purchase some land on the Canton Road; but that, owing (o several difficulties that had arisen, they had not up to the present time been successful, He, however, believed that, if the Committee were willing to wait a little longer, he might be able to conclude the purchase on advantageous terms, DMr. Frvex mentioned that he had received an offer of about G mow of ground atamore reasonable price than either of the former, and that this land appeared both to Mr. Medhurst and himself to be in a suitable locality and to possess some special advantages, After considerable discussion, however, it was decided that its distance from the most frequented paris of the Settlement was too great to make ita desirable position, Mr. Toxe-Kixe-sto proposed a pint of vacant ground on the Mankow Road, which he thought could be purchased at the aanye price as Ue piece mentioned by Mr. Kingsmill, and which, moreover, possessed the great additional advantage of having a South frontage on the main road.
Mee, Wvrte suggested that the Committee should go and examine the land in question at the close of the meeting, and come to a decision respecting it on the spot. This suggestion was afterwards carried out, and it was determined to offer to purchase 5 mow at the rate the owner had specified—viz., Taels 500 per mow.
Mr. Hsii-Cavxo-1v suggested that, as soon as the ground was pure ha ing should be erected in the Chinese sty fecture, but with modifications in jerler, 20 as to fit it for the different purposes of the Institution, and yet at the same time not to offend the tastes of such high native officials as would be cor-tain to become visitors. he buildings for Exhibition of machinery, apparatus, &e., could be of a rougher description and connected with this main building. expense would not be very heary, especially as he was ready to supply the plan himself, and to arrange for the work with a native contractor who had erected moat of the buildings at the Arsenal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.