ه ما
:
13.
439
arrival in Hongkong are sent to Canton for a period of 2
years in order to learn Cantonese, and for the whole of that
period of 2 years they are theoretically not available to
perform official duties in Hongkong. It is not desirable that
this two years probationary period should be in any way
extended, and I therefore suggest the following alternative
methods:-
(a).
When a legal Cadet has to be select-
-ed for this Colony at the competitive examinations held in
London, that preference should be given to candidates who are
either qualified Barristers, or who have passed their Bar
Examinations although they may not have completed the process
of eating dinners, or to competitors at the examinations who
have otherwise distinguished themselves in legal subjects
either at the Universities, or in the competitive examina-
-tion. Such competitors might be selected for the vacancy,
even if otherwise they would not have been high enough on the
list of candidates to be successful: and as they would al-
-ready possess a sound knowledge of law they could be given
two years in which to study at Canton in the same way as
other Cadets.
(b).
If it should not be possible to
obtain candidates by the foregoing method, it would probably