CO129-524-3 Reorganisation of commissioned Police Officers 27-1-1930 - 15-8-1930 — Page 21

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November, 1904, and since then he has risen steadily through the grades of Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent, to his present rank of Divisional Superintendent and he has been, for reasons given below, to all intents and purposes the chief assistant of the present Inspector General ever since the latter took charge of the Force in 1918. He has at all times shown himself a hard working and efficient officer with a firm grasp of his men and a level-headed appreciation of the possibilities of the most menacing situations.

He was

in full charge of the Force during the most critical months of 1925, when the very foundations of law and order in this Colony were shaken by the anti-British Strike and Boycott, and a full share of the credit for the Colony's triumphant issue from the perils of those dark

times is due to him.

*

3. I am aware that in recommending Mr. King to be Second-in-command of the Hong Kong Police Force I am passing over Mr. P.P.J. Wodehouse, C.I.E., whose service under this Government dates from 1897, and who is more than three years Ir. King's senior in the Force. I do so advisedly, with great regret because of my long personal acquaintance with Mr. Wodehouse, but with no hesitation because of my conviction, recorded in the annual Confidential Reports on this officer,

In this connection that he is not fit for promotion.

I would refer Your Lordship to my confidential despatch

P1.16628.

of the 2nd of September, 1926, regarding this officer.

4.