665
BOARD ROOM,
INLAND REVENUE,
SOMERSET HOUSE.
23rd February, 1912.
My Dear Anderson,
The reception you gave to the last letter in which I told you what I knew of a man who had been suggested for certain employment under your Department was scarcely encouragement to me to write again in a similar matter. I have, however, been asked to give to an application support which I did not like to refuse.
The request was made by Mr. E. Sharp, K.C., who is desirous of being considered for the appointment of Attorney General at Hong Kong, should a vacancy arise. Dr. Sharp, who was then practising privately in the Colony, was taken on temporarily to do the work of Attorney General for some time, while Sir Henry Berkeley was acting as Chief Justice, when I was Governor.
This was corresponding to the most critical period as far as Hong Kong observance/neutrality was concerned, of the Russo-Japanese war, and the advice given to me by Mr. Sharp on the various difficult questions that arose was, I think, in all instances perfectly sound. You will no doubt have reports