(2)
499
sub nits that under the circumstances it would be a great
hariship on him to leave Hongkong at the end of August, proceed
home through the Tropics, and land in Scotland in the beginning
of winter
7. That although the age of compulsory retirement is now fixed at
55 years (60 years when your petitioner joined the service)
this rule is not always strictly enforced. In the case of
Inspectors Fincher and Ward these officers were retained in
the service until they had reached the age of 56 and 58
respectively.
Your petitioner therefore humbly prays and peti ti ons that
you will be pleased to direct that your petitioner may be
continued in the service until August 1925 and that he may
be allowed to proceed home on leave in Harch next when he
will have completed 5 years service since his last leave.
And your petitioner will ever pray as in duty pound.
Dated the 9th day of July 1924.
Robert Gardner McEwen