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On the other hand, it is far from improbable that
still more serious movement may occur at any moment or that
a typhoon may greatly increase the damage. I have, therefore,
asked and obtained permission from the Commander-in-Chief,
China Station, to occupy Admiralty House temporarily, should
it become necessary for me to quit here. I am greatly
obliged by Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton's kind compliance
with my request.
4.
The Naval Commander-in-Chief's assent, however, was
limited by the following condition "It should be understood
that this is an emergency measure and does not affect it (Admiralty House) being available for my use should I have need
of it in the future".
I recognize that this 'caveat' was necessary, having
regard to the terms on which the property was offered to and
accepted by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty (vide
At the Mr. Amery's despatch No. 87 dated April 6th, 1927).
same time it calls for immediate consideration of the situation
that would come about were it to become necessary for the
Governor to vacate the present Government House for it would
obviously be impracticable as well as undesirable that he
should be liable to find himself without an official residence
at short notice.
In so describing that contingency I have not
forgotten the existence of Mountain Lodge, but I have no
hesitation in saying that the Lodge is quite unsuitable as the
principal residence of the Governor.
It is very inaccessible,
lying as it does at the end of some three-quarters of a mile of a steep single-traffic lane, and it has no parking space
for cars. It is much too small for the Governor's
obligations in the way of entertainment and for most of the
year it is wrapped in wet cloud.
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