§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to erect a new Government House at Freetown, Sierra Leone, at a cost to the Colony of £32,000; if so, whether it is to be situated five miles from Freetown and is to accommodate three Europeans only, the Governor, his wife, and a maid; whether, in addition to the present Government House, the Government has a bungalow in the hill country; and whether he has decided to sanction the outlay on a residence which will be superfluous to future Governors of the Colony?
Mr. HARCOURTIn pursuance of the policy of housing European officials, whenever possible, at the Hill Station, which is connected with Freetown by a railway six miles in length, it is proposed to replace the existing Government House in Freetown, which is an old building in bad condition, and the bungalow at Hill Station by a Government House at Hill Station for the Governor and his family and servants, together with the necessary accommodation for visitors. The probable cost of building a house suitable for the climate of Sierra Leone and of laying out the grounds approximates to the sum mentioned; but final sanction to the scheme has been deferred until specifications and detailed estimates have been prepared and considered. It will be necessary for future Governors to use the new residence, as no other will be available for them.