M/2632
No. 7 Carteret Street,
Westminster, "S.W".
7th October, 1907.
TO,
RE, HONG KONG, APPOINTMENTS.
The Crown Agents for the Colonies,
Whitehall Gardens, "S.W".
Gentlemen,
In answer to your letter of the 6th August, 1907,
respecting Mr. T.C. Lofthouse lately dismissed from the
post of Drainage Overseer, P.W.D: Hong Kong. I have had,
as promised (my letter of July 29 th 1907) an interview withị
Mr. Bowden at Smethwick, the gentleman in whose employ Mr.
Lofthouse was for some time. Equally with myself Mr.
Bowden is greatly surprised to learn the cause of Mr.
Lofthouse's dismissal.
I am of opinion that probably Mr. Lofthouse was
upset by the climate upon landing in Hong Kong; and I
consider that a newly arrived officer should have had a
little consideration given upon his arrival in such
new and strange surroundings.
I cannot think, nor does Mr. Bowden think, that
he was an habitual drunkard before he sailed from England;
and indeed had he been so, your own Medical Officer who
inspected him would have detected this weakness.
Of course I regret now that I did not go to
Hereford and make further enquiries; but the expense of
making these personal investigations is such, that as
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