COPY.
Your Excellency
D
Sir,
Sir F. H. May, K.CM.G.
2, Morrison Hill,
Feb. 12th., 1915.
45
I venture to bring to your notice the question of the ground rent of the plot of land on which the Soldiers and Sailors Home stands. This as you know amounts to the considerable sum of
$400 per annum.
Since the Home was opened, some fourteen years ago, we have managed with a little assistance from sympathisers to pay our way, ground rent included. We have been able to do this because of the continued presence with us of the troops of the garrison, and His Majesty's Ships during the winter months. Both these sources of income are for the time dried up.
We look forward to the present year with some apprehen- -sion. Our usual sources of support are for the most part non- -existent. Yet it would be a calamity on many counts to close the institution. Indeed this cannot be contemplated. Though the Colony is generally speaking denuded both of its army and navy, a few men of each service remain, and it would be most impolitic, indeed blameworthy, not to consider their needs and try to meet
them.
The Committee will have little or no income this year
to meet calls that will exceed £700.
The Manager has consented to remain on and receive only one half the yearly salary he has received during the last three
years.
Under these pressing conditions, I beg respectfully to urge the Government to remit the annual ground rent of $400 until the war is over and Hongkong military and naval life resume their
normal conditions.
I have etc.,
(Sd.) C. Bone,
President of Committee of S. & S. Home.
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