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Mong hong.
2.
Government House.
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appointment of Mr. Chaloner Grenville Alabaster, K.C.,
0.B.E., J.P., concerning whose record of service I refer
you to my confidential despatch of the 15th December, 1927.
Mr. Alabaster has practised as a barrister in Hong Kong
since 1909. He has acted as Attorney General of the
Colony on two occasions. He has been an unofficial member
of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. He was made a King's
Counsel for this Colony in 1922. He has a thorough know-
ledge of the laws of Hong Kong, of which he prepared the
1912 edition. He enjoys the complete confidence of the
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong
Branch of the China Association, who nominated him last
month as their delegate to discuss in Shanghai with Sir
Miles Lampson the draft of the proposed Anglo-Chin es e
commercial treaty. I feel sure that his appointment to be
Attorney General would be a source of strength to the
Hong Kong Government and would be hailed with satisfaction
by the whole Colony.
I venture to bring this matter before you now in a
semi-official letter, not because I wish any acouncement
nh
to be made on the subject at present, but in order that the
decisions may, if possible, be taken soon, and that the
acting appointments, prior to substantive confirmation,
may take effect directly Sir Henry Gollan goes on leave
prior to retirement. As you know, during ordinary leave
of absence the Puisne Judge, not the Attorney General,
acts for the Chief Justice: but, if Sir Joseph Kemp is to