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where & had the means of obtaining considerable practice in the methods of inquiry which a magistrate in this Colony must adopt. I may also add that I was entrusted with the translations and verifications of all important documents, and I beg to refer Your Lordship to a minute, herewith enclosed, written by Mr. Russell, the Head of the Department, on the manner in which I came to be entrusted by him with those duties.
I may further bring to your Lordship's notice the fact that Mr. C. C. Smith, the late Mr. Tonnochy, and Mr. Russell acted as Police magistrates in this Colony when their services were shorter than mine, and one of the chief causes for their appointments, I am informed, was a knowledge of the Chinese language and people, – a subject which has been my special study. The confidence reposed by the magistrate knowing the languages and being able to check the native interpreters is a consideration which I trust Your Lordships will regard, and although I have had no special legal training, a want of this qualification has not been hitherto considered a bar to the holding of magisterial appointments in this Colony.
In other Colonies too the absence of such special knowledge has not prevented these appointments being held by passed cadets, whose period of service has not been longer than my own.
In conclusion I beg to assure Your Lordships that should a vacancy occur at the Magistracy and you be pleased to promote to that office, I shall be grateful to Your Lordships and use every endeavour to discharge...