CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 631

C OP Y.

C.O.

19573

Rest [Rest 19 MY 02)

Hong Kong,

To Major General Sir W.J.Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., &c.,

625

25th March, 1902.

sir,

The Church Body of St. John's Cathedral has requested

me to approach you with reference to the contributien now paid to the Church Body by the troops constituting the garrison of Hong Kong, for the use of the Cathedral for Sunday, and occasional,

services. In the opinion of the Chunch Body, the sum now con- tributed (500 dollari per annum) is quite inadequate, and we

venture to hope that you, Sir, will consent to its being increased

Our reasons for thinking it now inadequate are as follows:-

+

(1) The increase in the garrison since 1892, when the sum

of 500 dollars was fixed, leads to a considerable increase in the wear and tear of the seats (cane backed and cane seated) and

books in the building; for the upkeep of which, in lieu of a

garrison church, the money is paid.

(2) The cost of upkeep, including cleaning, care-taking, &c., has, owing to the increase in the rate of wages, increased

by at least 50 per cent during the past ten years.

(3) The cost of repairs has, owing to the increase in the

cost of material and labour, increased by at least 50 per cent

during the same period.

(4) The fall in exchange has reduced the value of the 500

do 1 1 ars