Trust has not yet been afforded the chance to express an opinion on this proposal at present.
Mr Lucas's case 78/64. I think that we should refuse to extend this doctor's leave in order to enable him to be called to the Bar. I do not think he would thereby acquire any legal knowledge that would be particularly useful to us, which we would want in any doctor.
I reply that no hope can be held and that his leave cannot be extended in order to enable him to be called to the Bar, and send copy to C.P.L.7 for L.F. at once.
Sir,
35 Stanwick Mansions, W., C.0. 45 089 West Kensington, January 5th, 1904.
To The Right Honourable The Secretary of State for the Colonies.
With reference to the remarks of the late Governor of Hong Kong, His Excellency Sir Henry Blake, in his farewell speeches, on the subject of a proposed Hong Kong Improvement Trust, I have the honour to enquire whether, in the event of the scheme meeting with your general approval, the Government of Hong Kong would be willing, in view of my intimate knowledge of the sanitary condition and needs of the Colony, to entertain the idea of allowing me to remain in England on half-pay until June 1905, when I may reasonably expect to obtain my call to the Bar, and of then returning to Hong Kong as Secretary and professional adviser to the said Trust. This would only mean about four months leave in excess of the maximum amount of leave authorized by the Regulations, and for this I would be prepared to give a bond for further service or, in default, to refund the excess of half-pay so drawn.
I am not acquainted with the details of Sir Henry Blake's scheme, but if it bears any resemblance to the scheme, with a like aim, drawn up by Mr. May, Mr. Osborne, and myself, as members of the Sanitary Board, some few years ago, on the lines of the Bombay Trust, I am sure that the appointment of an expert sanitary officer to the Trust would be of immense value in aiding the deliberations and the work of its members, while the additional legal qualification would enable negotiations to be promptly and safely carried through by the Trust.
I do not think that the adoption of this suggestion would unduly delay the establishment of the Trust, as the...