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for character, education, and property, who reside in Hong Kong and are either native-born or naturalized British subjects. I explained that the great majority of all classes of the Chinese in this Colony are only temporary residents, and retain their Chinese nationality, leaving indeed, in most cases, their families at their homes in China. I added that my choice was thus much limited both in the selection of Magistrates, and of the Chinese Member of the Legislative Council; the choice of whom was engaging my earnest attention.
2.
I requested Mr. Stewart (the Registrar-General and Protector of the Chinese), to ascertain separately the views on this subject of some thirty of the principal Chinese Merchants and landowners. The great majority strongly urged the appointment, as their Representative in the Legislative Council, of either Wong Shing, a Chinese gentleman of high character, of good education,