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{REOTIT JAN 13
Minute by the Crown Solicitor.
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
I have carefully perused the Petition of Mr. William Baker in which he asks that his pension may be granted to him notwithstanding his dismissal from the Hong-Kong Police Force.
The only argument advanced by Mr. Baker in his Petition in support of his application is that contained in the 11th paragraph, in which he, in effect, says that while he is not imputing to the Captain Supt. of Police any wrongful or unfair acts or deeds, he protests against the system of a departmental enquiry as unconstitutional, even if the proceedings were covered by the strict letter of the law, and he goes on to say that the President ought to be some impartial person who should hear evidence on both sides with the assistance of trained lawyers so that the full benefit of cross-examination might be obtained.
The fact that a Policeman is liable to be dismissed by the Governor upon the representation of the Captain Supt. of Police may or may not work occasional hardship; but it is to be borne in mind that the interests of the