With reference to the appointment of Clerks, being guided solely by the fitness of the candidates, and promoting them according to seniority and merit, but bearing in mind the instructions given by the Secretary of State in despatch No.8 of the 28th of April, 1855, as knowledge of Chinese being considered in all applications for salary increase.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant,
14 February, 1881.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION No. 43.
HONGKONG CIVIL SERVICE.
Knowledge of the Chinese language.
With reference to applications for increase of salary or for promotion, the following documents are published for general information.
By Command,
FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 4th February, 1881.
Extract from Despatch No. 8 of 28th April, 1855, from the Right Honourable Sir George Grey, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, to Governor Sir John Bowring.
"I consider the knowledge of the Chinese language as essential generally for the Civil Service at Hongkong, and have to lay it down for your guidance as a rule, subject only to such very special exceptions as you may deem necessary, that no application for increase of salary in that Service is to be made for any person who has not learnt Chinese."
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION No. 4.
His Excellency the Governor has received a Despatch from the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, calling his attention to the great importance which Her Majesty's Government attaches to the acquirement of the Chinese language by all Functionaries in the Public Service in this Colony; and His Excellency is instructed to state, that in claims for promotion a knowledge of Chinese will be considered as a recommendation to the favourable consideration of the Authorities.
By order,
(Signed) W. T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary.
Hongkong, 2nd July, 1855.
年二月初四日示
得缺
爲示知稟求陞補
載一節抄錄於後
藩政大臣祁寄
四月二十八日 香港總督包咨文第八號内
茲將一千八百五十五年
日百
憲報第四號
籓政大臣咨着念 督憲聽訟事照得現在承准 香港輔政使司馬沙 奉
港 璣 督憲札讒將以下
增俸事照得現泰
按本大臣意以爲通曉漢文
要之至意並奉 朝廷以爲香港官員學習漢人言語是爲最
公文抄印俾衆避
藩政大臣着諭港衆凡有官員稟求陞
貴部堂除見以爲要歎特
外所有平常事歎必須遵此
缺如識漢文者則當保舉致
一千八百八十一
人言語者斷不得禀求增俸 各官不論何缺凡未學漢
求未須欵
增學遵特
俸漢此
七千 所
月八爲
百
初五
二十
Colonial Secretary's Office,
國家准其所求爲此特示衆週知
故文