PP GOVERNOR HONG KONG
GR 180A
CYPHER/CAT A
FM FC 0 23143ØZ
RESTRICTED
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO. 677 OF 23 JULY.
FOR ROBERTS FROM MACLEHOSE.
1. CONTRARY TO ALL EXPECTATIONS, MY MOTHER CONTINUES TO HANG ON, JUST. DOCTORS SAY DEATH MOST PROBABLE OUTCOME BUT TIMING
COULD BE ANYTHING FROM NEXT MINUTE TO NEXT WEEK, AND THAT RECOVERY
CANNOT BE COMPLETELY EXCLUDED.
2. AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG PERMITTING, I WOULD OBVIOUSLY LIKE TO PROLONG THIS LEAVE SUFFICIENTLY EITHER FOR THE END, OR ALTERNATIVELY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS COVERING AN INDEFINITE CONVALESCENCE. 1 RECKON THAT POSTPONEMENT OF MY RETURN TILL
10 AUGUST SHOULD ENSURE ONE OR THE OTHER.
3. I DO NOT WANT TO BE ABSENT MORE THAN THIS AT THIS JUNCTURE, BUT WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A SHORT LEAVE IN THE AUTUMN 15 1 WANTED TO AND IF OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES SUGGESTED A VISIT TO LONDON
AT THAT TIME WOULD BE HELPFUL.
4. THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE IS WHETHER I SHOULD PROLONG MY ABSENCE UNTIL 10 AUGUST. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE AS TO WHETHER THIS WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD IN HONG KONG, OR WHETHER THERE IS ANYTHING THAT
REQUIRES MY RETURN EARLIER.
5. .I.F.T.
CALLAGHAN
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