PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
11.
4
WRIGHT, HETHERINGTON and SORBY will take leave during the period and I propose in each case to recommend their stand-ins when this occurs.
12.
The following will leave the Colony prior to retirement on the dates shown against their
names
13.
TINGLE July this year KINGHORN April 1969 - approx.
In the case of TINGLE I have recommended by despatch the provisional appointment of his successor DRW ALEXANDER who served provisionally in the same capacity in 1960. I propose dealing similarly with KINGHORN's successor early in 1969. As for TODD, I have already reported that he has been transferred to another post; and his temporary successor, AT CLARK, has been appointed to the Council. It is intended that GT ROWE, the designated Director of Social Welfare, be appointed on his return from leave later in the year.
Unofficial Members
14.
The appointments of all but three of the Unofficial Members expire on 30th June, these three being FS LI, SZETO Wai and Wilfred WONG, whose appointments run till 1969. LI, however, has resigned as I reported earlier in this letter.
15.
Of the remaining Unofficials, Dhun RUTTONJEE, as you already know, has asked, at my suggestion, to be allowed to resign after 15 years service. He has been ineffective as senior member for some time now, largely because of the animosities which he has succeeded in generating between himself and the others. He took my suggestion that he retire well on the surface: but I fear he may harbour a certain amount of resentment, which is a pity but can't be helped. PY TANG has also indicated that he does not wish to serve on Legislative Council any further: which is acceptable if he comes on Executive Council. He is, of course, getting on in years and I do not wish to overburden him.
16.
The appointment of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce nominee, GR ROSS, expires on 30th June; and the Chamber have been invited to suggest a successor. They have nominated MAR HERRIES, who
Page 75Page 76