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Education Nr. Ball occupies an excellent social position, much above that of his predecessor and is much respected.
This is in my opinion a very important point.
The respect, or rather a certain awe with which witnesses may be impressed by an Interpreter is of great value. It enables him to keep them under control, and they give their evidence with greater care.
It is equally important also that an Interpreter should command the respect of Counsel and Solicitors.
Mr Ball will, it is to be hoped, in a short time be qualified to interpret in the Straits and Swatow dialects.
In ordinary cases he is now competent, but it is not quite sufficient for conversing with merchants hard in Commercial transactions and acting as Interpreter in more important Mercantile Cases.
For these services Mr. Ball at present receives $400 a year, Mr. Rozario's salary.
I would beg Your Excellency to consider how we can expect to retain a man of Mr. Ball's acquirements for such a salary.
It is less than many Clerks receive in English mercantile houses in China who have everything provided for them.
In this colony, where rents are exorbitantly high, how could a household be maintained in a good social position on a smaller sum? Integrity is of vital importance.
A high salary will not, as we know too well, make integrity, but it must not be lost sight of that in English...