File: 1/5/151C
CYPHER
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONGAID 231500
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR, HONG KONG, HK 370
370
24TH JULY, 1974.
52
MY TELNO HK342 CF 15TH JULY: ADVISER TO DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
MISS DEAS AND DR. GRIFFITHS OF THE O.D.A. JOINED WITH
CROWSON, WHITE AND MYSELF TO SEE GROVES THIS MORNING.
2.
I DESCRIBED THE NATURE AND SALARY LEVEL OF THE ADVISER'S
FOST AS STATED IN SCOTT'S LETTER TO STUART OF 22ND JUNE. GROVES
THEN GAVE US A DESCRIPTION CF HIS PRIVICUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
IN THE ENSUING DISCUSSION IT EMERGED THAT GROVES WAS NOT IN FACT
INTERESTED IN AN ADVISER'3 JOB AT THE DEFUTIAS LEVEL AND HE
FORMALLY WITHDREW HIS PREVIOUSLY DECLARED INTEREST.
3.
IN ANY CASE, BZARING IN MIND THE NATURE OF HIS PREVIOUS
EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING HIS RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD AS DEPUTY C.E.O.
AT EALING AND AS C.E.O. IN HARINGEY, WE AS A SELECTION BOARD
CONSIDERED UNANIMOUSLY THAT HE WAS NOT THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE
ADVISER'S POST.
4.
GROVES THEN OFFERED TO SEE WHETHER HE COULD THINK OF ANY
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF EDUCATION CFFICERS WHO RETIRED
PREMATURELY DURING THE RECENT REORGANISATION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES
AND SO MIGHT BOTH BE QUALIFIED AND INTERESTED IN A CONTRACT IN
HONG KONG. WE LEFT THE POSITION THAT DR. GRIFFITHS WOULD FIRST
DISCUSS WITH THORNTON THE EXTENT TO WHICH LIKELY CANDIDATES HAD
ALREADY BEEN CONTACTED BEFORE TAKING UP GROVES OFFER WHICH WAS
MADE IN A GENUINE EFFORT TO HELP.
.../2.