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Brewin
who is a most conscientious and able officer,
and at the same time to submit to you that Mr Clementi should be promoted Registrar General in his place. This is a post for which Mr Clementi is very specially well qualified by his exceptional knowledge of the Chinese character, language, laws and customs, and his ability to get his way with them without friction. I had however some misgiving whether Mr Brewin was physically capable of undertaking the very onerous
work of the Secretariat, and I therefore asked him privately whether in theevent of the Secretary of State offering him the appointment he felt equal to it.
He consulted his Medical Adviser, and at his instance
he informed me with great regret that he did not feel
he could conscientiously say that he was equal to the
heavy strain and constant overtime work at home which
he understood that the post involved. You will, Sir,
I have no doubt recognise the high sense of duty
which prompted this reply, and if you should think
fit when appointing any other officer to the post
to intimate that Mr Brewin is only passed over because
he himself has intimated that his health will not
allow him to accept it, the pain of supersession would
be mitigated, and a thoroughly good officer would be
rewarded for his long and good service.
With regard to Mr Sercombe Smith,
I have consulted Sir Henry May who has known him
intimately for all the long period of his service here.
He tells me that while he admires likes and respects
,
him he does not think he would make a good Colonial
Secretary as he takes the legal point of view too
exclusively. I also hear that he is not socially well
qualified for the position, and still less as Officer
administering