COPY.
No.07/244.
Enclosure.
Shanghai, 28th July 1907.
Sir,
In reply to the enquiry contained in your letter of the 13th instant, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Loder was born in Dorsetshire. He appears to have come to the East in 1893, when he joined the Municipal Police Force. He deserted in 1895 to go as Gunnery Inspector at the Chinese Forts at Kiangyin. He again joined the Municipal service as a Road Overseer in 1898, and in 1900 was transferred for duty at the Pingchiao Quarry, about 150 miles from Shanghai. He went on leave to England in May, 1906, having previously insured his life and being pronounced physically sound. His wife states that she noticed a change in him first in England, where he interested himself in gas engines and motor launches. On his return, he travelled first-class, and, arriving at the Quarry, made repeated applications to be supplied with a motor boat. About this time he appeared to be very excited about his wife's health, and brought her down to Shanghai on two or three occasions with no apparent cause. His letters were disjointed and sometimes unintelligible.
At his own request he was re-transferred to Shanghai in February of this year. He neglected his work, and spent money on trifles. Later, he imagined he was taking up an important agency for motor boats, and applied for permission to resign. He was not known as a heavy drinker; in fact, on his recent voyage out, drank hardly anything. Specimens of his writing in 1905 and recently are enclosed.
Constable Murray, who escorted him to Hongkong, has returned, and states that you are of opinion that Loder's case will have a favourable termination. This is contrary to the expectation of the doctors here, and the Council will be glad if you will make an official report on the case as you may know.
W. V. Koch, Esq., H.D.,
Acting Superintendent,
Government Civil Hospital,
Hongkong.