COPY
Enclosure to Despatch No. 71 of the 27th February, 1902,
Sir,
C.O.
257/2564
RECEIVED 31 MAR 1902
Adelaide, South Australia,
11th November, 1901,
It is with great regret that I have the honour to ask His Excellency the Governor to allow me to retire from the Service on pension after the period of half-pay leave granted me has expired.
No improvement in my health has recently taken place, and as my throat has become affected a long period of abstention from using my voice is absolutely necessary, so I see nothing else open to me but to resign my appointment.
I have little doubt now that the constant mental and physical strain of plague work from 1894-1900 in Hongkong and India was the principal predisposing cause of my illness - work in the streets, hospitals, and mortuary where the great dangers of infection lie, ultimately telling in the long run.
I have the honour to express the hope that on this account His Excellency may be pleased to see his way to add a few years to my service for pension purposes. At present my life is worth very few years' purchase, but if recovery should fortunately occur I should only be too glad to have any such addition reconsidered if necessary if able again to undertake some work.
I enclose a certificate from Drs. J. C. Verco and T. Hamilton, leading consultants here.
I again have to express great regret at the necessity of having to resign my position in the service where, although I may have made mistakes, I have always done what I believed to be my duty. I can only hope that my work has met with the approval of my superiors and the people of Hongkong.
I have etc.,
J. A. Lowson.
The Honourable
J. R. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.