CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922 — Page 215

Fron

To

A

212

Extraded from Hong Kong 8/318.

The General Officer Commanding,

China Comand,

The Secretary

War Office,

London, S.W.1.

Memorandum

HEADQUARTERS,

CHINA COLLAND,

HONG KONG.

14th January, 1922,

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to my letter 8575 of 2nd May, 1921

on the subject of the proposed Naval and lilitary Club.

Since that letter, I have forwarded certain proposals as to the policy which should govem the surrender of the Military lands in Victoria to the Colonial Goverment.

If and when that surrender takes place, there will be a need for an institution in Victoria where soldiers on leave from the proposed cantonment could resort. The time is thus opportune for consideration of a joint Naval and Military Club on the lines of the Union Jack Club in London,

So far as the Royal Navy is concerned, the present Valal Canteen, which is, I understand, the property of the Officers and nen of the Fleet, will soon have to be vacated owing to the resumption of the site by the Civil Goverment.

So far as the Amy is concerned, such a club seems an object towards which a grant, equal to what the Flest may obtain in compensation for their canteen (estimated at $200,000) night be provided from the Central Funds referred to in your letter 3/Gen.No./ 179 (G.1.) of 15th November 1920. The Club should be self-supporting. The Naval funds plus an equal sun from the Central Funds should go far towards the erection of a suitable building.

A site can be found close to the Dockyard, partly on Naval and partly on Military ground, being on the North side of Queen's Road, and extending from Fi Block Wellington Barracks to the Southern end of the Naval Terrace. Possible objections from the Naval point of view are seen to erecting the Club in such close proximity to the Naval Terrace, but it is anticipated that the projectei straightening of Queen's Road will enable an arrangement to be reached with the Coloriaļ Autnorities under which the actual site will be on the South side of the improved queen's Road.

The matter is urgent so far as the Royal Navy is concerned, and will become so for the Amy, should the surrender of the Military lands in Victoria sem likely to eventuate, It would therefore

be of great assistance to the Naval Commander-in-Chief and the General Officer Commanding to know what is the view taken by the Amy Council on] this matter.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Sgd)

Lieutenant-General

Commanding the Force in China.

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