CO129-565-14 Vacancy for air raid precaution officer. Includes 1 photograph depicting- Douglas Berwick Maitland- applicant for... 15-11-1937 - 8-2-1938 — Page 52

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of the Sub-Committee, the greater part of which necessarily devolves upon the Chairman, is rapidly increasing and that, with the inception of the intended programme next year, it will be impossible to combine this work with that of any other Government post without serious loss of efficiency. I may mention that the

Chairmanship of the Sub-Committee has been held by a Superintendent of Police, and will temporarily be resumed by him on his return from long leave. During the latter's absence the Chairmanship has been held by the Government

Analyst. To both these officers it is a matter of considerable difficulty to find the necessary time to spare from the normal duties of their respective posts. It is also for consideration that, in accordance with

the provisions of Chapter VII of the Hong Kong Defence

Scheme, the Chairman of the Air Raids Precautions Sub-

Committee holds the dormant commission of Air Raids

Commandant, which would become effective on the outbreak

of war.

3.

His Excellency the General Officer Commanding

the British Troops in China who has been consulted,

strongly recommends the proposed appointment. I therefore

request that if you approve of the proposed appointment,

for which no specific provision has been made in the draft

Estimates for 1938, steps may be taken for the recruitment

of a suitable officer, who should arrive in the Colony as

early as possible in 1938. I am not aware of the

qualifications usually expected of Air Raids Precautionary

Officers, who are employed, I understand, by a number

of local authorities in the United Kingdom, but I am

advised that such an officer should at least have qualified