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I had twelve months' leave and was hardly able to act on the Commission. It would have been very difficult at any time to do so, as I was once in full employment at the bar. Any little time I had to spare for work was given to preparation for the duties of extra Aide-de-Camp to Sir John Pope Hennessy, he being unable at the time to obtain the services of Military Officers.
For Eitel, who framed his knowledge of the Chinese language, was an invaluable member, became Private Secretary to the Governor, interpreter, and Inspector of Schools, and had absolutely no time to devote to the work of the Commission.
Another of our members, Mr. Creagh, was absent from Hong Kong for, I think, two years, and another of our members, the late Mr. Imrie, was, at different periods, Acting Colonial Secretary and Administrator, positions in which he could not well devote time to the work of the Commission. It was not until after June 1880 that we were able to have three of the Commissioners together.
In conclusion, I may be permitted to express a hope that the labours of the Commission may so far meet with the approval of His Excellency the Governor that he will feel justified in submitting them for the consideration of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that they will not be regarded as an extenuation of our fault.
There are matters referred to in the Report of the Gambling Commission which His Excellency may desire information in connection with.