CO129-436 - Acting Governor Claud Sever & Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1916 [11-12] — Page 457

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4, 5, and 6. I found Mr. Bowen-Rowlands guilty of absence from duty without leave and I caused him to be reprimanded and to be warned once again that the smallest lapse in the future would

entail dismissal.

4.

Under date of the 9th. of November the Head of the Sanitary Department made the report copy of which forms enclosure 7, and I endlose copies of the proceedings instituted under the Colonial Regulations (enclosures 8 to 11).

5.

Upon consideration of the case in Executive Council the majority of the members as you will observe from the enclosed copy of the minute on the subject, advised that Mr. Bowen-Rowlands should not suffer the extreme punishment of dis- -missal for the reasons (a) that the defence he has made in this case was not before the Government when he was previously warned; (b) that he is not an habitual drunkard but suffers from attacks due, it was stated, to the hereditary disease of oraving for drink; (c) that his work in normal circumstances was very good.

I felt myself, however, unable to accept the advice of the majority of the Council in view of the twice repeat- -ed warnings given by myself during the current year and of the prejudice to discipline which conduct such as has been proved against Mr. Bowen-Rowlands who has to control the work of a large European and Chinese Staff mast create.

Accordingly the letter, copy of which forms enclosure 13 was addressed to Mr. Bowen-Rowlands. I forward copy of a report by the Head of Sanitary Department of the circums- -tances in which he endeavoured to hand to Mr. Bowen Rowlands the Colonial Secretary's letter together with a copy of Mr. Bowen- -Rowland's reply to that letter.

I have caused Mr. Bowen-Rowlands to be inform -ed that the question of his suspension cannot be held over but that he is at liberty to offer himself to the local Military Authorities as a candidate for active service. He has been given clearly to understand that if his services are accepted the

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