General Post Office,
Hongkong, 24th September, 1903.
C.O. 41032/385
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 20th September, 1903, No. 7348/1903/C.U.D., enclosing a copy of extracts from a confidential despatch from the Secretary of State regarding the case of the New Territories absconding Shroff To Mai-lan.
I would point out that this is the first intimation I have had that my name had been mentioned in connection with this case.
The recommendation was made nearly two and a half years ago and I cannot now speak from personal recollection of this particular man but I would mention that since I have been in this Colony it has fallen to my lot to make a very large number of selections and recommendations for clerical appointments probably more than any other officer in the Service.
I may state that I have invariably made it a rule to enquire as to the character of applicants as well as their other qualifications. I have always insisted on the production of references either written or verbal and in the latter case have always had them verified.
To Mai-lan found no difficulty in obtaining two valid sureties and the fact that these men were willing to guarantee him was in itself considered sufficient testimony to his honesty.
I had no means of discovering that he had already been dismissed from Government Service or that he had been imprisoned for misconduct and his name did not appear to attract attention in the Colonial Secretary's office.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.