$52 several Olis departure necefsitated change, had anered and ao Your Lordship annexed four months' vacation leave: full pay to Mr Austin's 12 months' leave av I 1/2 pray, 2 cassider myself -fortunate in having been enabled to provide for effectually The Public Service. Ao I have done I have appointed Mr Cecil Smith to be Acting Colonial Secretary and Auditor General during the absence of Mr Austin, and pending Your Lordship's pleasure. I think it right to add that I had peculiar satisfaction in making this appointe ment, because Mr Smith's pavers of organization and previous training, his extensive acquaintance with the Chinese and their language, the confidence which they repose in him, and his untiring personal energy, will enable him to help to as he gind more efficient my successor arriving here, must, without previous Chinese experience, than could probably have been afforded by any other man The Colony from in I have transferred Mr Tanechy The Harbour Master's Department to act as Registrar General and Protector of Chinese; vice Imich, provisionally and pending Your Lordship's instructions. The Office is and of the most important in the