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In a few instances even when neighbouring Crown Colonies
have requisitioned my free advice and aid, I have not
withheld them although at considerable loss of time and
labour to myself. I can confidently assert that no one
else in this Colony, past or present, has held so many
public and honorary appointments and sat on so many
Commissions and Committees as I have done and am still
doing, nor has any one rendered such services to the
Government in their dealings with the Chinese as myself
with however, the notable exception of my Honourable
Colleague in Council, Mr. Wel A Yuk, whose services in
this particular respect are quite equal to if not greater
than mine. I appeal to the public records of this Colony.
In stating the above I am not prompted by any spirit
of self-glorification (a thing which I cordially dislike)
but rather to clearly indicate to His Excellency that it
is absurd to for a moment suppose that a fee of a few
hundreds of dollars for actual professional services
rendered is likely to influence me in the strict perfor-
-mance of my public duties.
In conclusion, I hope His Excellency after a que
consideration of the above remarks will kindly inform me at his pleasure and early convenience his opinion and decision in this matter, and indicate to me a line of conduct for my future guidance so as to enable me to decide to what an extent I can sacrifice my time and labour to the devotion and performance of purely Public and Honorary duties compatible with the means of earning a livelihood as a professional man.
I have the honour to remain,
Sir,
Sir John Keane, Bart.,
Private Secretary.
Your obedient servant
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