information and a Knowledge of Chinese affairs, which enabled me on occasions to be of much service to Government beyond my compeers; being frequently honored with commands to report on subjects engaging the attention of the Governor and Legislative Council. Amongst other subjects I may mention, the Opium Farm, Government Schools; Assessment and collection of the Village House Tax, Police organization and management; Secret Police, for Political and Detective purposes; Registration Census Systems; Population and General statistics; Gaol management and Prison discipline; The Convict system in Hong Kong; Chinese Emigration; The Shantung system &c. My Report on the Opium Farm in 1847 showing the abuses generated by the monopoly, recommending its abolition, and the substitution of a Yearly Licenses system was first adopted by Government.
I proposed taxing the Villages, assessed the buildings, and collected the revenue in 1845. The Registration system has since been modified on my recommendation.
I took charge of the Gaol in which all the old abuses festered. I built workshops with prison labor; Blacksmith's and Carpenter's shops; Engine house; laid down new paths, cleared out the Yards; broke up, turfed, planted with shrubs and flowers, and railed in grass plots. Introduced productive labor, such as tailoring; grass-mat loom-weaving; hemp foot-mat making, hat, cord, twine, and bag making; blacksmith, carpenter, Mason, and brick-layer's work; and introduced proper discipline.
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