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no
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228
Extracted from Hong Kong 8/318.
From: The General Officer Cormanding,
China Command,
20:-
The Secretary
War Office,
London S.V.1.
HEADQUARTERS,
CHINA COMMAND,
HONG KONG
14th January, 1922.
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to my letter 8575 of 2nd May 1921
on the subject of the proposed Naval and Military club.
Since that letter, I have forwarded certain proposals as to the policy which should govern the surrender of the Military lands in Victoria to the Colonial Government,
If and when that surrender takes place, there will be a need for an institution in Victoria where soldiers on leave from the
The time is thus opportune for proposed cantonment could resort. consideration of a joint Naval and Military Club on the lines of the Union Jack Club in london,
the present Valal So far as the Royal Navy is concerned, Cantean, which is, I understand, the property of the officers and men of the Fleet, will soon have to be vacated owing to the resumption of the site by the Civil Goverment.
So far as the Army is concerned, such a club seems an object towards which a grant, equal to what the Fleet may obtain in compensation for their canteen (estimated at $200,000), night be provided from the Central Funds referred to in your letter 3/Gen.No./
The Club should be self-supporting. 179 (G.1.) of 15th November, 1920. The Naval funds plus an equal sum from the Central Funds should go far towards the erection of a suitable building.
A site can be found close to the Dockyard, partly on Naval and partly on Military ground, being on the North side of queen's Road, and extending from 17' Block Wellington Barracks to the Southern end of the Naval Terrace. Fossible objections from the Naval point of view are seen to erecting the Club in such close proximity to the Naval Terrace, but it is anticipated that the projected straightening Queen's Road will enable an arrangement to be reached with the Colonia' Authorities under which the actual site will be on the South side of the improved queen's Road,
The matter is urgent so far as the Royal Navy is concerned, and will become so for the Army, should the surrender of the Military
It would therefore be of lands in Victoria seen likely to eventuate, great assistance to the Naval Commander-in-Chief and the General offic.ri Commanding to know what is the view taken by the Amy Council on thi matter.
I have the honour to bey
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.)
Lieut-General,
Commanding the Forces in China.
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