CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6] — Page 216

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public the sum of $140,000, of which Mr. Ellis Kadoorie subscribed $35,000 and Mr. M. J. D. Stephens an equal sum. The

whole sum of $140,000 was invested in Exchequer Bonds to await conclusion of the War. The sun is barely sufficient to build

and furnish a suitable building.

4.

I append an extract from a speech which I made,

on the 13th. June last, in support of the public subscription

referred to above. This extract shows the organization and object of the Y. M. C. A,, and in it reference is made to o suggestion by Mr. P. H. Holyoak, unofficial werber of the Legislative Council nominated by the Chamber of Commerce, that the Government, being the largest employer of Europeans. in the Colony, should assist the Associstim in its endeavour to erect premises of its own by the grant of a free or cheap site.

5.

This suggestion has now borne fruit in the enclosed copy of an application from the Directors of the Y.M.C.A asking for the free grant of portion of the site of the old Post Office. I referred this application, after discussing it in Executive Council, to the Unofficial Members of both Councils, who by a majority suggested an alternate site between Lower

Albert Rond and Ice House Street. This site is by no means n

favourable one, and in my case the Government is unwilling to alienate it, because to do so would bar extension of the High Level Tramway System up the Glenealy Ravine, the possibility of which in the future cannot be overlooked.

6.

I, therefore, referred the original question back to the Unofficial Members with the results shown in the enclosed letter from Sir Paul Chater dated 8th. Hay. That letter has been considered by the Executive Council who endorse the pro-

-pos la contained therein.

7.

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