(10)
PRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A
FM F.C.O. 021840Z
DE DIP
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
(HW)
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR BERMUDA TELEGRAM NO. PERSONAL 8 OF 2 FEBRUARY. 1973
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM DUNCAN WATSON.
APPOINTMENT OF SOLICITOR-GENERAL: HONG KONG.
1. THE PRESENT SOLICITOR-GENERAL, SNEATH, HAS UNEXPECTEDLY RETIRED
AND IT IS URGENTLY NECESSARY TO FILL HIS POST. I FEAR I MUST ASK
YOU IF YOU CAN RELEASE HOBLEY PREMATURELY FOR APPOINTMENT AS
SOLICITOR-GENERAL HONG KONG (AND, FOR YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION,
PROBABLY FOR PROMOTION TO ATTORNEY-GENERAL TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN THE PRESENT INCUMBENT IS HIMSELF PROMOTED).
2. GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD LET ME KNOW HOW SOON YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO
RELEASE HOBLEY. IF YOU NEED A REPLACEMENT FROM OUTSIDE WE WILL
DO OUR BEST TO HELP.
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MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISER
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REF.