TNAG-0826-FCO40-1034-Length-of-term-of-office-of-Governors-1979 — Page 23

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CONFIDENTIAL

HKA. 430/5 IKPE/TARE

RECITAD

لله

2 2 MAY 1979

Be

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

FALKLAND ISLANDS.

15 May 1979

HAH Cortazzi Bag Okay Mr McLaren

DUSS FCO

Esq ca.

(

Dear

Hugh.

مدل

Appy Chief Clank As Mr Hall

Mr thre For aderice please

1. When I was in London last year I indicated to the PUS I would write about now to let the Office know how I felt about remaining at this post beyond the normal time for my departure

and retirement at the end of this year, should there be thought /

to be any advantage in my doing so. I have been uncertain quite to whom I should write about it, but as I see you are still ultimately concerned with Governors' appointments, through Hong Kong and General Department, and as you may recall some of the background from the brief discussion we ourselves had about it, I thought perhaps you would not think it inappropriate if I first address myself to you. It is always a job to know just where, as a strange animal like a Governor, one fits into the personnel pattern.

2. First may I say, without making too much of it, that the grass on the other side of the retirement fence has looked deliciously green for some time, and never more so than now, after two and a half years of a fairly full time of it in this intense little situation.

3. There are, however, one or two personal thoughts which incline me to put this prospect aside for the time being, and concentrate on what use I might be were I to stay. For one thing, I have started quite a number of things here which I would like to see through. For another, the degree of quiet influence over local attitudes which I have perhaps managed to acquire - not always strong enough, as I am only too well aware - might take a bit of time to regain if I were to go at some vital juncture.

4. More, however, than these somewhat personal considerations is the fact that the Islanders will certainly not like a change. They dislike change at the best of times, and having got into a much more relaxed and understanding mood about their future, this is not one of the better times. I am not flattered to

Original at: HKPF / PARKER/J.R.W.

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CONFIDENTIAL