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Colony: there is an express contract with every Cadet that he shall be promoted if efficient and that certain offices will be reserved for him if he is qualified. I need not do more than mention that Mr. Irving failed at the 1889 India Civil Service examination and that he got his appointment in Perak without examination, whereas Cadets are successful examinees: as such they should enjoy the promised fruit of their labours and not be liable to have it plucked by others.
10.
Your Excellency has ruled that Mr. Irving is not hit by the 5th paragraph of O.C.D. 276 of 29th August, 1902: he is however covered by the 4th paragraph of that Despatch.
11.
In C.S.O.2683/00 is a Form of Application for promotion by Mr. Irving. I note that he wrongly describes himself as (Cadet) after Junior Officer. Under the head "Promotion desired" he seeks an appointment either under the Colonial Office or Foreign Office, in China (Consular Service). Not Hongkong nor Kowloon if possible.
This leaves an impression that he did not look for promotion either in the Federated Malay States or in the Straits Settlements or Hongkong Civil Services. Why not? Because he could not claim the promotion incident to the rank of a Cadet Officer in either the Straits Settlements or Hongkong.
21st August, 1906.
(Sd.) T. Sercombe Smith, Colonial Secretary.