Administering the Government (Mr. Marsh) had entrusted Mr. Justice Russell (then Registrar-General and Protector of the Chinese), with the duty of preparing the report on the system of Child Adoption and Domestic service as it exists "at Hongkong, for which Lord Kimberley had called in his despatch No. 40 of the 18th March, 1882.
Russell's subsequent promotion to the Bench of the Supreme Court and the pressure of his official duties, necessarily delayed the completion of the Report. But he has now placed it in my hands, and I have great pleasure in transmitting herewith printed copies of it (12 copies).
The delay that has occurred has had this advantage, that it has enabled me to give, as my other manifold duties would permit, a close study to the subject in question, and thereby has placed me in a position to appreciate the great practical value of Mr. Russell's labours.