It is not that there is not much which might not, perhaps safely, be left to the Clerks in the Office, but when dealing with such a people as the Chinese it is of great importance to the well-being and conduct of the Government that the Registrar General should personally confer with these Chinese who have business with the Government - should personally receive all the petitions which are handed in - and should in every possible way communicate that he is at all times accessible to them and ready to attend to their requirements.
Of course such routine work as granting licenses to Chairs and Boats does not come before me, until the last moment when the licenses have to be signed, because it is well known that such licenses or Sureties as any person can obtain by finding a Surety may be. Nor do I supervise, except incidentally, the reports of changes of tenancy and applications for Certificate under the Registration Ordinance 1866.
As regards all other matters, the Chinese come to me in the first instance, and the Clerks receive their instructions direct from me.
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