Having served nearly six years as Chief Clerk under me, I think Mr Chang's continuance in that capacity would not be unacceptable to me.
When Inspector Smith vacated the office, there was an allowance of $960 attaching to it in connection with duties relating to the suppression of public gaming houses; this allowance has not been drawn by the present acting Registrar General who is not acquainted with Chinese, and the duties were, when the Commissioner's Committee being temporarily and experimentally entrusted to the District Inspectors of Police.
As, however, I am acquainted with Chinese, perhaps I may be permitted to resume these duties, should his Lordship be pleased to appoint me to be Registrar General. The increase of $574 which it would afford to my pay would be a great boon to me, and I think I could make myself useful in this capacity in cooperation with the Captain Superintendent of Police, who is the other officer to whom these duties were entrusted conjointly with the Registrar General.
In bringing this letter to a close, I would ask you to be allowed to place on record a letter which Sir Arthur Kennedy wrote to me at the close of his administration. It was obtained by me as a precautionary measure rather than with any particular object in view, and its date will show that I have not been hasty in bringing it to the Colonial Office. Upon the whole, however,
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