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THE SURVEYOR GENERAL TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, 24th November, 1877.
SIR,-With reference to my letter of the 8th ultimo on the subject of a foreman for the Public Garden, I have the honour to report that the labouring gardener CERNEAU who had been so highly recommended to us by the French Embassy at Pekin, touched at this port on his way home to Europe by the French Mail and called upon me, and that I have, subject to the approval of His Excellency the Governor, suggested to him to remain in Hongkong for a little while and to accept Meyman's work in the Garden for the purpose of giving the native gardeners instruction in some of the more important details of their duties.
2. I would not have ventured upon so unusual a course as offering him even temporary employment, but for the fact that no other alternative was left me, but to allow him to proceed on his journey and thus lose his valuable services altogether.
3. The man having consented to stay behind has already, by his own personal work, done much good to the Garden, and the native Garden Staff will derive much benefit from his practical lessons, having been in China now some years, he is accustomed to the ways of the natives and seems very successful in dealing with them.
4. But above all, what I have to report in his favour, in addition to his intelligence and industry, is the fact that he personally works all day with the Coolies in the character of a Foreman, a practical mode of supervision, which the Garden has always sadly required, but which we have never been able to extend to it.
5. I therefore now beg to repeat my recommendation that the man be secured permanently at an essay of $80 per month, in lieu of a Superintendent with a salary of £300 a year, a post entirely unnecessary in our small sphere, and in respect of which, the present incumbent, as you are already aware, has applied more than once for considerably increased remuneration.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. M. PRICE,
Surveyor General.
HONGKONG. No. 4.
DESPATCH OF SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, BART., M.P., TO GOVERNOR J. POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G.
DOWNING STREET,
15th February, 1878.
SIR--I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 169 of the 5th of December, proposing the abolition of the post of Superintendent of the Government Gardens.
2. I have given due consideration to this subject, and at my request Sir JOSEPH HOOKER has embodied his views in a Memorandum, of which a copy is herewith enclosed.
3. I concur with him in thinking that there is ample scope at Hongkong for a scientific Botanic Garden, over which should be placed a man of Mr. FORD's attainments; I do not therefore think that a change in the direction contemplated by the Surveyor General would be advisable, and I transmit for your information a copy of the letter which I thought it right to cause to be addressed to Mr. FORD.
4. At the same time I am ready to approve of the engagement of the Gardener mentioned in your Despatch for a limited period, if he is required for some special work such as that of tree planting.
5. I request that in future Mr. FORD's Annual Reports on the Botanical Gardens may be printed and sent home, if such has not been the practice hitherto.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
M. E. HICKS-BEACH.
J. POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G.,
&c.,
&c.
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