Enclosure 3.
Enclosure 4.
situated on the middle levels of Victoria City, commands a fine view of the whole harbour and is very suitable for entertainments on a large scale, such as dinners, balls and garden parties. It is sumptuously furnished.
I attach
a description of it prepared by the Public Works Department and several photographs illustrating its situation, its appearance and the nature of the accommodation which it
affords.
4.
There is no purpose for which "Marble Hall" can suitably be used by the Hong Kong Government, but I have the honour to suggest for your consideration and that of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that this residence would be an exceptionally fine "Admiralty House" for the use of the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the China Squadron. The China Station is the only foreign naval station in which the Admiral commanding in chief has no residence: and Hong Kong being a British naval base, situated near the centre of the China Station, is in every respect the most suitable place in which to provide the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the China Squadron with a residence. Sir E. Alexander-Sinclair and I have made inspections of "Marble Hall" both severally and jointly, and we concur in the opinion that it is well fitted to be the "Admiralty House" of this Colony.
5.
I therefore recommend for your approval that "Marble Hall" with its fixtures, furniture and household effects should, when it becomes the property of this Government, be offered to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty upon the understanding that they will use it as the official residence of the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the China Squadron and will maintain it and keep it in proper repair at their own expense and will return it
to