CO129-616-2 Hong Kong War Memorial Fund (Amendment) Ordinance 1948 6-2-1948 - 16-11-1948 — Page 48

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

Code

Orij. on 54106/11/48

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Opanchami

D.

3rd July, 1948. R 3rd

#

08.50 hra.

No. 642

55

1

1.

Your telegram No. 668.

Mrs. G.G.N. Tinson.

Matter has been referred to the War Memorial Fund Committee. The Chairman advises that the Committee will not meet for another fortnight, but makes the following points:-

(a) Soon after draft for £50 was sent the Commit.ee, on the suggestion of the Chine Association, decided to increase annual grant to £200, and a further draft for A100 was sent to Mrs. Tinson on 2nd June.

(b) It is not clear why the circumstances of Tinson's death should be regarded as exceptional. He met his death while visiting his home during a short period of leave from his duties in the Auxiliary Communications Corps.

(c) The demands on the War Memoriel Fund are far beyond its means, and the benefits that It can grant are necessarily limited in range and amount. It is regretted that quite apart from the merits of this case, the fund cannot afford to make the award retrospective.

(0) The discontinuance of Ministry of Pensions avand should be reconsidered in view of the fact that award is not an award in accordance with any personal injury scheme but is rather a relief grant from funds half subscribed by the public and balf contributed by the Government.

2. To the Chairman's remarks above it should be added that the late Mr. Tinson was senior partner of a leading firm of local solicitors and was not considered a poor man.

7