10 December, 1968
I have had a letter from Michael Hannam telling me
of the extraordinary way in which your Commission as
High Commissioner for the Western Pacific was passed
through his office. I must apologise for this lapse,
which was due to the inexperience of staff who are now
dealing with mails in the merged Office.
We are taking steps to prevent a recurrence, but
I am afraid that the odd example of this sort of thing
is bound to happen until the staff at all levels become
more familiar with handling the affairs of dependent
territories.
His Excellency
Mr. M. D. I. Gass, CMG.,
Government House, Hong Kong.
(W. S. Carter)