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is read as a whole, as I humbly contend that it should be.
The words in the latter despatch, "prepared to consider", do
not represent the total effect of that despatch as a promise
under specified conditions. They depend on the context, and the
full correspondence which ended in the writing of that despatch.
Nevertheless, the words have apparently been detached from
the rest of the despatch, with the result that H.E. Sir Henry May
has been led away from the true position, and the important points
(a) and (b) above mentioned have been entirely missed, and in con-
sequence my case has become seriously prejudiced.
I will substantiate that statement by reference to your
letter No 15,391/1914 of the 1st May,
That letter was your official notification to me that the
Becretary of State had not sanctioned my request, and it further
stated the reason for his refusal.
It was as follows:-
"I am directed by Mr Secretary Harcourt to acknowledge
"the receipt of your letter of the 27th of April, and to "inform you that the Governor of Hongkong has forwarded "your application for an increase in your personal allow- "ance, reporting at the same time that he has caused you
"to be informed that he could not support your application.
"Mr Harcourt, after consideration of the circumstances,
"shares the Governor's view; and he has therefore been
"unable to approve the application."
The Secretary of State's reason for refusal was thus admittedly
based on the Governor's view of my case.
The latter's view and ground for refusal was communicated to
me by his direction in the form of an official minute, as follows:-
"This officer is in receipt of £670 a year pensionable
"emoluments. The maximum salary of an Executive Engineer
"of the First Grade is £630 pensionable salary, and 260
"non-pensionable duty pay. Mr Wood is therefore better
"off than the three First Grade Engineers, and very much
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.