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considerable owing to climatic conditions, will
become increasingly heavy as the fabric deteriorates.
3. In a Colony which permits of so little
change of "atmosphere" as Hong Kong it is essential
that the Governor should have some alternative
residence to which he can at times retire from the
more formal life of Government House.
It was
therefore suggested that instead of a second
residence on the Peak, there should be provided a
country residence in the completely different
surroundings of Fanling.
4. On Sir William Peel's instructions I
consulted the Finance Committee, which comprises all
the unofficial members of Legislative Council,
confidentially on a proposal to erect an unpretentious
country residence at Fanling at a cost of $55,000
exclusive of furniture as a substitute for Mountain
Lodge, which would be given up on the completion of
the new Government House at Magazine Gap. The
Finance Committee unanimously approved the proposal
for a residence at Fanling but desired to dissociate
themselves from any suggestion that the provision of
the new residence should be made conditional on the
abandonment of Mountain Lodge. They wished the
future of Mountain Lodge to be left over for
subsequent consideration if and when the Governor
should desire to abandon it.
5. The Committee wish to go further than Sir
William Peel intended and raised the objection that
the
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