Hongkong, Sept. 4, The Government has published preliminary statement with regard to the first report, dated June 30, of the Commission appointed to inquire into the position and working of Hongkong University. With regard to the present financial condition of the University, the statement says that the Commission found that at the close of the financial year on August 31, 1920, the deficit for the year on the working account would be about $145,000, the accrued bank overdraft about $500,000 on working and capital accounts combined, and the accrued deficit about $70,000 on the endowment sinking fund.
The Commission among various recommendations strongly advises that the University be carried on in all three of the present faculties, medicine, engineering and arts; that it be carried on under conditions which make for efficiency and success; that, if it is to reach and keep a position worthy of the Colony and of the British Empire, and to take its proper part in the development now in progress in China, it must maintain a standard fully as high or higher than in the past, and must expand soon and widely: in particular, there is urgent need of increased -hospital facilities in the medical department and bettor workshops in the engineering department, and certain improvements are recommended in the educational and commercial courses: that Vice-Chancellor be appointed soon as possible and that the institution be forthwith placed on a business footing.
With these views the Governor in Council and the unofficial members of the Legislative Council are in accord, and the Government will forward a communication to the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to the necessary financial measures.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.