CO129-379 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [8-9] — Page 125

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