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Christian Association here
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the rented premises have been
abandoned and the Association is in abeyance owing to the war
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Re
resided in Hongkong, and that all of them with very few exceptions worked during the day in Victoria, wher practically all the great offices of this Commercial Port are situated.
Although in course of time a greater proportion may reside at Kowloon, still it is certain that the principal business offices will always remain on the Hongkong side of the harbour.
The European Young Men's Christian Association is conducted on principles which preclude the sale or use of Alcoholic liquors on the premises. The lucrative institution of a bar is therefore not available to assist the revenues of the Institution as I regret to say it helps the fincer of other Clubs in the Colony.
Hence it is essential, if the Institution
is to be self-supporting, that it should be housed in build- -ings free of rent and that it should be so situated that it will command a very large membership. It is considered that a building on the other side of the harbour, inconveniently situated for the luncheon hour and other social purposes, would not be sufficiently attractive.
The Directors of the Association are therefore after the fullest consideration not satisfied that
the Institution if situated at Kowloon would be a financial
success.
5.
The Directors have been much exercised
by these considerations and have been seeking a practical solution of their difficulties. This is now presented by the
partial destruction by fire of the property known as
Beaconsfield Arcade which is in the Queen's Road opposite to
the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and in close proximity to the
great blocks of offices in the business centre of the City.
I attach a plan of the site which comprises 13,401 square
feet