I must respectfully but emphatically refuse to do. The expense in the present instance is by only half what it might be. Should a mere chance occur that the teacher whom I have in view quit, I could not procure a man for the Colony to take his place under $30 a month.
To these few remarks I may add that I await His Excellency's instructions on these points with anxiety. If it is decided that Government so little appreciates my knowledge of Mandarin that it is indifferent as to whether I forget it or not, then I must, in justice to myself, refer the whole question to the Secretary of State, as I have to.
(signed) F. H. May.
1.
Page 362
Enclosure 5 in despatch No. 182 of 29th May, 1886, from The Officer administering the Government of Hongkong, on the subject of cadet.
(Copy)
Memorandum
According to an agreement entered into between the Government Agents and Mr. Sercombe, the latter engages that he will, during the first five years of such term, and for such further term as may be deemed necessary, studiously devote himself to the study of the Chinese language; further, that he will subject himself to be tested by half-yearly, or such other periodical examination, before such persons as may be named.
The Government agrees to pay to Mr. Sercombe, for the first two years, or during such further term as he shall be studying the language, a salary equal to $1200 per annum.
Further, that at the end of...