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; declares that he said certain Chinese intermediaries were bribed by certain individuals to bribe the Officers in question; (most of the officers he did not even know by sight and it does not appear that he knew European officers to speak to) The intermediaries admitted that they took bribes, they cannot be dismissed for neglect of duty in not reporting it. It is also just vaguely possible that some of these officers may be the victims of blackmail. More than one of the Colony's most important officials have all links in the chain of evidence wanting.
There are seven cases referred to the Sub-Committee of the Executive Council whose recommendations are annexed. The recommendations are that such of these Officers who are entitled to Pension should be granted it without being the bare Pension which they have earned, so as to increase it, & allowed to serve longer on the condition that no poids should be stretched in favour of those who have not served long enough for Pension.
This is unquestionably very lenient treatment, but I think there is clearly not sufficient evidence to justify the dismissal of these officers for receiving bribes, and as there is no more proof that they knew of the existence of the Gambling House, the suggestion that they have been blackmailed, and though we need not believe it, we cannot absolutely disprove it. I would not give any of these men the full Pensions to which their service entitles them.
I think that probably they can all be given reduced Pensions under the Ordinance No 62 under which the Governor of Hongkong can undertake to grant pensions.
I refer to Section 1 of the Police Pension Regulations of 1894, which states: "Full Pensions or Gratuities will be granted on the Applicant's conduct having been uniformly good."
You will see that May distinctly states that he cannot certify Messrs...