158
な
as
offering him better prospects.
Mr Whyte has consented to continue his present services till the end of the current year, if I consider it desirable, but he is anxious to be relieved of his present duties as early as possible.
His resignation is especially inconvenient at this moment, for I had felt it my duty to direct Mr Cecil Smith, who had been acting for Mr May during his absence or leave, to resume his duties as Registrar General - the Colony having special need of his services in that capacity to inaugurate the working of the Registration Ordinance as soon as it shall have been approved. It is one of the most important laws ever passed here, but requires from its peculiar nature great ability and patience, such as Mr Smith eminently possesses, to introduce it favorably to the Chinese population.
Under these circumstances, there will still remain a vacancy to fill up - viz: that of Mr Whyte. I am not prepared, just at this moment, to say how I may deal with it, but I have no time in reporting Mr Whyte's resignation, because I think it desirable that the vacancy should be filled, if possible, by the appointment of a practising barrister.
The duties of the Magistrate's Bench render it expedient that one of the Magistrates should be a Barrister, and in the event of the absence or illness...