testimonials, and I respectfully beg patient perusal of the documents themselves. In connection with this subject, I beg to add a few particulars of detail, which do not come within the scope of the Certificates alluded to. In the commencement of my career, I devoted myself to the study of the local Chinese dialect, and in a reasonable time was able to speak it tolerably. This key opened to me stores of practical information, which enabled me, on many occasions, to be of service to Government beyond my competence, being frequently honored with commands to report 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 and Census Systems, Population and General Statistics; Gaol management and Prison discipline, the Convict Establishment in Hong Kong, Chinese Emigration, the Coolie Serang System, etc.
My report on the Opium Farm in 1847, showing the abuses generated by the monopoly and recommending its abolition, and the substitution of a system of yearly licenses, was adopted. I first proposed taxing the Villages; assessed
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