Patchin of strengthening the staff of "Purchin The Colonial Secretary's department-
No one can, I think, dispute the absolute necessity of having at least one educated Englishman in the Colonial Secretary's Office; who will be able to assist me by undertaking some work that is not purely of a routine native, and to replace me when engaged on Audit work. Such assistance I cannot find anywhere at present.
The salary which will be available if Ms. Travers is transferred (#41/440 - about $260) would not be sufficient to induce anyone in the Colony to leave up employment in a Bankers' or Merchants' Office, where, as a rule, a better pay is given than in Government service. Of the Cadets, Mr. Eockhart is at present temporarily employed in superintending the Opium Revenue. It will be difficult at present to relieve him of this duty, which requires not only considerable intelligence and knowledge of Chinese, in order to defeat attempts to defraud the Revenue; but also, what is equally important, unblemished probity, as heavy penalties would be forthcoming