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He comes a Serious and pressing question Vacancies may be best filled, to meet the requirements of the Public Service.
My own opinion is that the Chinese Liing trace a pecuniary advantage to Junior Clerks in some of the Departments of Government, as commended by H. Smith, I have investigated this and spoken well of individuals under the present system, but it has been pursued with Expensive failure, and that it is by no means certain that a man should be a member of the English University to qualify for a Student Interpreter.
Should decision be made Continuing the present System, two Students should be appointed at once; but I would in addition Strongly advocate the Study of Chinese by a Student Interpreter who is a Good Chinese Scholar.
I would propose an increase to the Salary of a specified number (Junior Clerks who pass the final Examination), namely from £400 to £500 per annum, to that of a Chinese Interpreter (£600 per annum in total).
I entertain no doubt that this Course would prove here successful, and undoubtedly be more Economical than that hitherto pursued, and would induce a better Class of young men.