Independent Commission Against
Corruption, 5th floor, Sincere Building, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.
5th June, 1974.
280/€
Dear. Mr. Tilton,
I will begin by apologising most humbly for not writing to you long ago. You have been very forbearing and forgiving in continuing to furnish me with the wealth of your deep experience in Shanghai and elsewhere although you had no word of acknowledgment from me.
I look back over the last few months and am astounded at all that has happened during that period. As you may know I was retired and living quietly in Malta, growing fruit and tending my wines and roses, when I was asked to take on this job as Director of Operations in the new Commission being set up to counter corruption here. The challenge was too much to turn aside, so I sold up in a matter of weeks and arrived here in December last. The first two months were frustrating because for various reasons beyond my control I could not take over. The new body had to await legal backing through an enabling ordinance which ultimately came through LegCo on 14th February. We then went into business and I finally took the chair.
It is going to be a considerable uphill struggle, but the prize is well worth working for. If only we can have the time to build up a good sound organisation which is itself above reproach and which is willing to tackle any target, however highly placed, without fear or favour, then I think we can deal with this filthy menace. You from your own experience will know what a long haul it is going to be, because the cancer is widespread and deeply ingrained in all walks of life. This however does not deter me but it does have the chastening effect of making me realise that the job is well worth tackling and that I am lucky in being given the opportunity to take it on,.
The wealth of advice, illustration and creative comment which has run through all your letters - I had the earlier ones from Mr. Stuart before I left London in November has been of great value to me, not least by making me realise that the menace can be beaten. That kind of knowledge, coming
....from one/