Sk
4-
-
into the disappearance of Mr. Godber. For this purpose, Mr. Webb was attached to the Anti-Corruption Office on 13th June; and statements taken by him were made available to the Commission,
and were dealt with in the same way, that is to say by concentrating on controversial matters in court, thereby saving
a considerable amount of time,
I take this opportunity of thanking Superintendent Webb
for carrying out a most thorough investigation.
All witnesses attended voluntarily; but I issued
summonses for the attendance of Ir. and rs. Lloyd and
Mr. Gunston. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd did not take part in the investigation into the activities of Mr. Godber or into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance; and they were personal friends of his. Ir. Gunston was Mr. Godber's legal adviser; and I felt that, for one reason or another, these 3 witnesses would
welcome being summons ed formally by the Commission.
Despite appeals to the public through the press, no one offered to assist the Commission as to how Mr. Godber departed
from Hong Kong. I was informed that someone phoned Mrs. Elsie Elliott and gave her the name and address of someone else who was supposed to have assisted Ir. Godber as regards his departure.
When an
attempt was made to contact this witness at the address mentioned, it was found that no such address existed only a piece of bare
hillside.
Peter Fitzroy Godber - Biographical details
Mr. Godber was born in London on 7th April 1922. He
served as a police constable for 4 years in the Hastings County
Borough Police Force. In August 1952 he was appointed a probationary sub-inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. He was promoted
to Assistant Superintendent in 1955; and to Chief Superintendent in July 1969. Upon his return from vacation leave in November 1969, he was appointed Chief Staff Officer/Traffic; and, on 1st December 1971, he was posted as Deputy District Police Commander, Kowloon
i.c. 2nd in command of Kowloon District.
In January 1972 Godber submitted an application to retire carly on 2 grounds (1) his wife's ill-health and (2) that he felt that his own physical standards had deteriorated. His application was approved; and he was due to proceed on retirement
leave on 20th July 1973.