15680
Hongkong
Confidential
Dear Sir,
You may remember that just before leaving the Colony you asked me to lay my case before the Retrenchment Committee when called upon to give evidence. Unfortunately, I became ill soon afterwards, and was obliged to take a sick holiday in Japan for the purpose of recruiting my health. When I returned, the Retrenchment Committee had concluded the first portion of its Report and stated that the P.W.D. would be left over until the return of Mr. Cooper.
Regarding this, you will remember that Mr. Justice Ackroyd, who was the Chairman of the Retrenchment Committee, was also the Chairman of the Baishenghen Arbitration. The duties he discharged absorbed all his spare time during the Arbitration proceedings, and he went on leave and retired soon afterwards.
Consequently, I was only called upon to give evidence before the Committee on one occasion for a few hours. The Committee sent in a very brief and hurried Report. I was asked to give them some information, and as I was ignorant of Mr. Ackroyd's intention to go on leave, I made no representation.
I have the honour to enclose for your consideration a copy of an application for increase of salary from Mr. Chatham, Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department, and shall be glad if you will consider whether or not his pay should be increased.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]