3.
(*74* 5 of letter 14.5.11).
He repeats in paragraph 19 of his
121
83 letter of 1.6.11:- "I did not receive the support and encour-
agement from the executive
more especially from Sir Henry
May
which I, as the head of a most important government
department, had a right to expect, but, on the contrary,
have met with opposition to my every endeavour, alights,
and snubs at every step; I have been kept in the dark as to
matters vital to my department, and have been handicapped
by having inefficient, incapable, and disloyal subordinates
forced upon me; with the result that these defalcations have
been rendered possible, in spite of all my care". With the
question of the clerical staff of the Harbour Department I
will deal fully in this memorandum: but to the vague and general
accusatione made by Commander Taylor against the becretariat,
and more especially against Sir F.H.May and Mr A.M.Thomson,
under both of whom I have served as Assistant Colonial Secretary,
and of whom the former is no longer in Hongkong to reply for
himself, I return at once a general and categorical denial.
It is not possible for me to do more, unless Commander Taylor
can formulate specific charges: and I respectfully suggest
that he should be invited either to do this or to withdraw un-
reservedly the very offensive remarks which he has permitted