CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12] — Page 577

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has administered the affairs of this Colony during the

past four years, has commanded the respect and admiration

not only of the British, but also to a very marked degree

of the Chinese community, and it was therefore our intent-

-ion before the expiry of his term of office, to have

expressed the hope that you, Sir, might see fit to recommend

His Majesty to extend Sir F. Lugara's appointment

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Governor of Hongkong for a further period of two years

beyond its normal expiration in 1913.

The considerations which have led you to

propose the early transfer of Sir F.Lugard to West Africa

I

are unknown to us: but we respectfully submit that unless

of

the reasons for this proposed transfer are such Imperial

importance as to override this Colony's claims, he should

not be removed from his present Office.

If however,

notwithstanding this our urgent representation, it is

still found necessary to transfer Sir F. Lugard to Nigeria,

then we are of the opinion that it is imperative, for

reasons above given, that a man should be appointed an Gov-

this Colony's

-ernor who possesses a thorough grasp of

local conditions & of its important undertakings, who has

also the confidence of the Chinese community & is well-

-versed in dealing with Chinese officials & people.

In our opinion such a man is fortunate-

-ly