Copy.
C.E.in C.
209/27/10a.
Sir,
ADMIRALTY, S.V.1.
18th February 1927.
8
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to inform you that the Commander-in-Chief of the China Station is the only one of the Commanders-in-Chief abroad who has no official residence provided for him.Representations have been received from time to time from Officers holding this Command urging the great inconvenience of there being no Admiralty House provided for their occupation, but up to the present My Lords have not considered themselves justified in incurring the considerable expense which would be entailed in the purchase or erection of a suitable house for the purpose.
My Lords have now been informed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that a house called "Marble Hall" has been left to the Government, Hong Kong, by the late Sir Paul Chater, It.,C.M.G., subject to the right of Lady Chater, if she so desires, to remain in occupation for her lifetime. The Governor anticipates that Lady Chater will not reside in Hong Kong, and his Government have decided to offer the house, free of cost, for the use of the Naval Commander-in-Chief, so long as it is required for that purpose, on condition that the house and grounds, including valuable furniture and fittings, are properly maintained during the period of occupation.
Very little alteration will be required in adapting the house for the purpose and My Lords do not anticipate that the cost to Navy Votes will exceed an initial expenditure of £1,000 and an annual charge of £900 for upkeep (this is an outside figure).
My Lords have a desire to accept this very generous offer, and the Colonial Government, anticipating that a decision as to its future will soon be required, are asking for an early reply.
The Secretary,
H.M.Treasury,
Whitehall,S.W.1.
I....