As I understand from your despatch, M. Lockhart is now in the colony, and I am of opinion that it would be desirable to send him for a further period to China to prosecute his studies. I shall be glad to have a report on the progress he has hitherto made with them.
5. In my despatch No. 24, allusion was made to the proposed transfer of certain duties from the Registrar General's department to the police. After considering your despatch No. 308 and the report which accompanied it, I see no reason for making any such change. I concur with you in thinking that these duties should be left in charge of the Registrar General's office, and as that office will now profess all the functions which formerly were allotted to it, it will probably be found necessary to strengthen the staff beyond its past limit. On this point, however, Mr. Stewart will be able to submit his views hereafter.