}
239
preserve the furniture and fittings of the rooms from damp
and mildew. Even in the middle of the hot weather, rooms
have to be closed and a large fire lighted to dry them,
while every house possesses its' "drying room" in which
carpets, mattresses and everything portable are dried from
time to time to prevent their complete destruction by
damp. Coal is also consumed in Government House for the
heating of water for the bath-rooms both in the guest's
rooms and other apartments. I shall be glad to know
whether in this item also you desire any change to be made
in the established custom.
4.
Arising out of this question is
another regarding which I shall be grateful for your
ruling, viz.:- which rooms are to be regarded as "the bed-
-rooms,
kitchens and other rooms not used for the reception
of company". (Colonial Office Regulation 389). The base-
-ment of Government House consists of a large Supper-room
used for refreshments when a Ball or other very large
entertainment is given and of three small bed-rooms, two
of which are occupied by European servents and the third
is available for servants of guests. In addition there is
a sitting room now used as the Private Secretary's office
and there are also various Chinese servants quarters in
this