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at the time absent on leave,
His Excellency was pleased to appoint me to act as Clerk of Councils and chief Clerk. Mr Videhouse having been subsequently promoted to the Magistracy,
the Right Honourable the Earl of Amberley was pleased to confirm my latter appointments,
I venture to add that although not a passed lawyer, I have during my long connexion with the Magistracy gained a thorough knowledge of the Criminal Law and of the local Ordinances; as my duties as Clerk consisted principally in taking Informations and Complaints, which I did, owing to my knowledge of the Chinese Colloquial, without the assistance of an Interpreter. I was also not infrequently consulted by the Magistrates on any particular case or law bearing on it.
In conclusion I beg to add that I am emboldened to make this application to Your Lordship from being thoroughly conversant with the practice and details of a Magistrate's duties.