12103
421
MAY.
No.127.
Government House.
Hong-Kong, 29th. April, 1898.
sir,
{
Adverting to my despatch No. 108 of the 7th.
instant in which I informed you that I had granted to Mr.
H. E. Wodehouse, C. M. G. four months' vacation leave to commence
on the 6th. instant,I regret that I did not personally care-
fully consider the question, but granted the leave under-
standing that this had been the custom here in like cases.
2. While fully recognising that Mr. Wodehouse 's
services entitle him to every consideration, I am of opinion
that, in view of the hard work at the Police Magistracy now
performed by Commander Hastings, R. N.,Mr. Wodehouse should
retire on his pension after two months from the 6th. April,
the date of his sailing from Hong-Kong.
3. Ever since the 26th. February, when Mr. Wode -
house was granted sick leave, Commander Hastings has been
discharging the onerous and responsible duties of Police
Magistrate without extra pay and would ordinarily continue
to do so till Mr. Wodehouse's present vacation leave expired.
This however would mean that the present Acting Magistrate
The Right Honourable
would
Joseph Chamberlain, M. P.
&C.
&C.
&C. ›
>
"