CO129-454 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1919 [4-6] — Page 522

I

ļ

N° 178.

My Lord,

40453

9 M. 19

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 30th. May, 1919.

518

I have the honour to report that owing to

the serious indisposition of Mr. W. J. Tutcher, Superintendent, Botanical and Forestry Department, it has been essential for

him to take a short period of leave on medical grounds.

Mr. Green, the Assistant Superintendent,

2.

has not yet returned to the Colony from Military duties, and

I have therefore been compelled to take the unusual course of appointing Lieutenant-Colonel A. Chapman, V.D., who holds the substantive appointment of Assessor. Mr. Chapman does not of course possess the necessary qualifications, but has a good knowledge of plants and gardening generally, and is quite capable of performing the routine administrative duties of the

post.

3.

I should be glad to have Your Lordship's

covering authority for paying an allowance to Colonel Chapman

at the rate of $150 per mensen, during such time as he is so employed. The combination of the two posts will nocessarily

entail a considerable amount of overtime.

RIGHT HONOURABLE

VISCOUNT MILNER, G.C.B.,

&.c..

•

&c..

I have the honour to be, My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient,

humble servant,

Idud Seven

Officer Administering the Government.