C
196
23340/07
8.
At the same time, the clerical branch of the Depart-
-ment was remodelled, and increased, by the addition of several young and inexperienced Chinese, and we were left with one, only, of the reliable class of Portuguese, who had always been our stand by. But so long as this last (Mr Botelho) remained, we were able to carry out the work with the same efficiency as before, though it entailed considerably more personal supervision on the part of the head of the Department, in so much as, instead of, as previously, having but to tell a clerk to do such and such a thing, it now frequently became necessary to stand over him and see that he did it, for the Chinese juniors were constantly changing, being sent to us for training, and, when approaching efficiency, taken away to some other Department; which hardly indicates that want of supervision now imputed to me.
9. In 1906, while I was at home, on leave, Captain Barnes Lawrence died, and on my return to the Colony in February 1907, (I had offered to give up the remainder of my leave, and return at once, in October 1906, when the news of the death reached me, but my offer was not accepted), I found that charges had been made against Mr Guterres, 1st Clerk, Mercantile Marine Office, who had been nearly 40 years there; re was under suspension, pending the decision of Lord Elgin on his case. This will probably be within your recollec- -tion, as the case was quashed, by telegram, and Mr Guterres was reinstated. I understand that Lord Elgin expressed his disapproba÷ -tion at the charges ever having been brought. I may mention, as
8,