Mr. pinim Edwards ought not to have been allowed to retire, but that he should have been put back in the Police Force not with the rank of Serjeant, but with some temporary special personal allowance to compensate him for the loss of higher emoluments previously drawn by him.
However, considering it under the exceptional circumstances, I will not decline to sanction the retiring allowance that has been granted to him, as expressed in my dispatch of 24th Oct. 89, No. 211724 that Mr. [Especially in view of the length of time that has now elapsed.]
But this case must not be allowed to form a precedent; and I must remind you that you were instructed in my despatch No. 4996 as quoted in your despatch No. 259 of 30 Aug. 1888 and observed in June 1887 that the Police Pension Rules, which are expressed liberally, must be strictly followed, and in no case must more liberal terms be offered without previous reference to the Secretary of State.
3. As regards Messrs. Lee