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the best man in the Service for this appointment, and my own
observation for the past 34 years and the opinions of others
confirm this view. He is moreover very popular with both the
European and the Chinese branches and can get the best work out
of them, for he enjoys their entire confidence. I lay great
stress on the exceptional nature of the circumstances of the
time, which induce me to consider it of very special importance
that the interests of the Public Service should receive priority
of consideration over any other claims. The state of crime in
this Colony has (as I have said) assumed serious proportions,
while the disturbed state of China, and the prospects of still
greater disturbance no doubt has had and will have a reflex
action here and result in the influx of large numbers of the
circumstances I have no hesitation
criminal classes. In these
in saying that in my judgment the well-being of the Colony
demands that the Officer who succeeds Captain Lyons as Deputy
Superintendent of Police should be the most capable man who can
be found.
4.
As regards the claims of Mr. Hallifax to
the appointment, I venture to point out that he was appointed
Assistant Superintendent of Police on the 29th. December, 1900,
and