18
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Drevin
who is a meat conscientious and able officer,
and at the same time to submit to you that air clementi should be promoted negistrar deneral in his place. This is a post for which Kr Clementi ia very specially well qualified by his exceptional knowledge of the Chinese character, language, laws and customs, and his ability to get his way with thea without friction. I had however acne misgiving, whether a Browin ras jhysically capable of undertaking the very cherous
more of the Secretariat, and I therefore asked him privately whether in thoevent of the secretary of State offering him the appointment he felt equal to it.
de consulted his nedical adviser, and at his ins tanco
he informed me with great regret that he did not feel
he could consolentiously say that he was equal to the
heavy strain and constant overtime work at home which
he widerstood that the post involved. You will, Sir,
I have no doubt recognioo the high sense of mity
which prompted this roply, and 1f you should thing
fit when appointing any other officer to the post
to intimate that or Brewin is only passed over because
he himself has intimated that his health will not
allow him to accept it, the pain of supersession: mould
be mitigated, and a thoroughly good officer would be
rew.rded for his long and good service.
L
Wit:: regard to Ar bercombe (mith,
have consulted Bir Henry Hay who has known his
intimately for all the long period of his service here.
vie tells me that while he assaires, likes and respecta
hl.: he does not think he would make a good Colonial
Lecretary as he takes the legal point of view too
exclusively. I also lear that he is not socially well
qualified for the position, and still less as Officer
aquinistering