Enclosure No.2 to Governor's Despatch No.268/0
From Inspector J.Mills.
To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary.
C.O.
3014-
Sir,
732
2 High Street,
Hongkong, 18th June, 1901.
I am in receipt of your letter No. 9 of the 13th instant. The same has had my earnest consideration, and I respectfully beg to submit the following:-
A.
I admit the charge of procuring contributions towards defraying legal expenses connected with my defence upon a criminal charge of manslaughter brought against me.
B.
I am unaware that in doing so I committed any breach of the Colonial rules and regulations. Your letter under consideration does not specify such rule or regulation.
In connection with such charge I beg respectfully to submit the following explanation. It is unnecessary for me to go into the details of the charge of manslaughter, as they are known to you and also the fact that such charge was withdrawn against me. When such charge was preferred against me at the Police Court I occupied a very painful position as a Government servant. I anticipated that Counsel would be placed at my service to defend me against what was subsequently proved to be so unjust a charge incurred whilst I was in the execution of my duty. Counsel not being forthcoming, I was compelled, in vindication of my Public and Private positions, on my personal responsibility to engage a lawyer. I did this after consultation with the Head of my Department, who was unable to promise me any financial assistance.