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the necessity of recalling Me Hallifax. I propos- ed to take this courge, unless from your more intimate knowledge you were prepared to advise me that Er Irving is not fitted to perform those duties.
I reply, the Private Secretary informs me, that you say you can not recommend Mr Irving to act in the appointment on the ground of lack of experience and as being a man of indecisive character.
I thereupon addressed a letter to His Excellency,
of which the above is with a fow verbal alterations a copy;
pointing out also what I considered to be the injustice of
Mr Thonson's strictures; and carnostly requesting Hia Excellency
to consider my position, and particularly
*A.
"B.
To make a ruling upon the question whether there are any grounds for the suggestion that my power of enforcing discipline, my capacity for organisation and my financial ability are less than satisfactory, (as suggested by the minute of the Colonial Secretary quoted on rage 10) ac as to disqualify me for promotion.
To inquire into the principles upon which the giving of acting appointments is based. At present as I have shown they are treated at one time aa having no signifi- cance and as mattera of temporary convenience culy; at other tinos as so important as to give the holder claims to promotion outweighing years of seniority.
To call upon Mr Thomson for an explanation of the grounds of his description of my character; to decide whether it is true; and if untrue, whether Er Thonson'a belief in its truth was based on reasonable grounds.
#
In reply His Excellency minuted aa follcys:--
Minute by His Excellency the Governor to the Colonial SecretaryY
(Datod 23rd January, 1010.)
Mr Irving takes particular exception to Mr Thousen's statement in reference to his qualifications to act as Police Lagistrate. Mr Thonson was aware that I had knowledge of Ir Irving's work, and therefore that the reason I especially asked for his opinion was because he had acted as Colonial Secretary on pre- vious occasions, and had had opportunities extending over the whole time that Mr Irving has been in the Hongkong service of learning the opinion which is generally held of Mr Irving's abilities and the way in which he has performed his work, and the general estimation in which he is held. The Governor nece35&
rily cannot be so fully informed.
My phrase" inti-