CO129-515-2 Exportation of meat to Canada- various certificates 20-12-1928 - 20-12-1928 — Page 32

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"officials concerned seemed to imply personal laxity,

"this was unwarranted and regrettable.

In Sir C. Clementi's letter of 8th December, 1925, it was

stated that:-

"Enquiries have been made with regard to the particular

"shipment which gave rise to this correspondence, and it

"is evident that the substitution of the dried duck for

"the sausage was effected after the issue of the

"certificate.

In this instance as always the contents

"had been carefully checked by the Inspector at the

"factory at the time of packing."

In view of this withdrawal and of the

exoneration of the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon from any

personal culpability whatever in the matter, the fresh

refusal, on no reason assigned, of the Veterinary Director

General in his letter of 26th July, 1928, to recognise

certificates signed by Captain Mackenzie, the Colonial

Veterinary Surgeon, is not understood, except on the grounds

that the conclusions reached in your letter of 14th October,

1925, have been overlooked by the Veterinary Department.

Captain Mackenzie protests very strongly at

the unwarranted slur on his integrity contained in the

Veterinary Director General's letter; and the facts clearly justify a request that a full explanation should be given of

the statement that "the name of Mr. Mackenzie is not

acceptable", or for a withdrawal of the statement in such a

manner as to obviate the possibility of any injury to Captain

Mackenzie's professional reputation.

3.

Captain Mackenzie has been in the service

of the Hong Kong Government since 1920 as Colonial Veterinary

Surgeon, and in the very responsible duties he has had to

perform