CO129-283 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [5-6] — Page 210

COPY

C. O.

13762

EN CLOSURE 3

RECE

Best 20 JUN 98

Report by the Captain Supt. of Police.

200

Hon. Acting Col.Secretary,

The Petitioner claims that as he enlisted

prior to the enactment of Ord.No.14 of 1887 he could claim as

a right to re-engage in the Hong-Kong Police Force, and that

the Captain Supt.had no power to refuse (under sec.13 of Ord.

14 of 1887) to approve of his re-enlistment.

The statements contained in paragraphs 1-4 of

the Petition are correct.

It is not correct to state as is done in para.

5 that the Petitioner "bound himself to serve the Government

of Hong-Kong for a further period of 5 years upon the same

terms and conditions as under his agreement of the 17th.Sep-

tember 1886.

I attach copy of his original enrolment paper

and of the one he signed in 1890. The one which he signed in 00 -

tober 1892 is precisely similar to the one signed in 1890.

I submit that the Petitioner acquired no right

under Ord.9 of 1862 to re-engage in the Force for as many pe-

riods of 5 years as he chose, and irrespective of the approval

of the Authorities. Such a contention is repugnant to common

sense, and to the well established principle that the Crown

(and it will be observed that it is the Crown he originally

and on each subsequent occasion that he was enrolled, declared

he would serve) has the right to dispense with the services

of any of its officers at any time.

P

etitioner

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