THE new Chief Secretary will inherit a mansion with servants, a Jaguar car and a $21,000-a-month entertainment allowance, but not necessarily the fighting force of Volunteers of which Sir David Ford is head.
Anson Chan Fang On-sang will be moving up from her rented Mid-Levels home on MacDonnell Road to Victoria House on Barker Road near the Peak where her neighbours will include Chief Justice Sir Ti Liang Yang and Commander British Forces Major-General John Foley.
For her new lifestyle where her everyday and special needs will be catered for by eight servants, Mrs Chan will have to pay.
But the rent for the colonial-style house, with expansive lawns and a swimming pool, will be just 7.5 per cent of her $156,000 monthly salary, or about $11,700 a month, bills included, which has to be one of the best deals in Hong Kong.
When she is at home, enjoying the spectacular views over Hong Kong island to Victoria Harbour, which are far superior to the urban landscape seen from Government House, Mrs Chan will be looked after by a chief steward, a head steward, a head chef and a number two, and four other domestic servants.
Mrs Chan and her husband Archie will be able to entertain outdoors in style, either by the pool or on the terrace with its sweeping view of the harbour.
Indoors, there is a massive dining room. The house also has a number of sitting rooms for entertaining.