C.8, Circulat
14 of 24-2-03.
— 16 —
D.-Interpreters and Translators.
(Appendia E)
47.-(1.) The posts mentioned in the appended list (Appendix E) are posts in the Interpretation Sub-Department and will be filled as far as possible by qualified Stadent Interpreters.
(2.) All Chinese Student Interpreters employed by Government shall be arranged in one department which shall be under the supervision of the Registrar General.
(3.) Student Interpreters may be appointed from time to time on the recommendation of the Registrar General. Every such Student Inter- preter shall be between the ages of 16 and 19 and shall have passed the Examination for the Fifth Standard in Grant-in-aid schools in Class III or the Annual Examination in the Fourth Class in Queen's College.
Importance will be attached to the knowledge of Written Chinese possessed by candidates.
(4.) The salary of Student Interpreters will be $120 a year, and unless living with their parents, Student Interpreters shall reside in quarters to be provided for them by the Government.
(5.) Their course of study shall be under the direction of the Registrar General. They will be required to attend the ordinary classes at Queen's College every morning, and at the Registrar General's Office in the afternoon for special instruction in Chinese, and in translation and interpretation.
(6.) Student Interpreters shall be exempted from payment of school fees.
(7.) The usual term of study for a Chinese Student Interpreter shall be two years. At intervals of six months reports shall be made to the Governor by the Registrar General as to the progress made by Student Interpreters in their studies and as to their diligence and good conduct. For continued idleness and gross misconduct they shall be liable to be dismissed and to forfeit a sum not exceeding the amount spent by the Government on their education and maintenance.
(8.) Student Interpreters who fail through want of natural ability to make proper progress or to qualify as Third Class Interpreters at the end of two years may be dismissed with a month's notice.
:
— 17 —
(9.) All persons appointed as Student Interpreters shall enter into a bond with approved suretics in Form No. 7 appended, to the amount of $250 to serve as Student Interpreters and as interpreters in any part of the Colony of Hongkon, and its dependencies for a period of seven years from the date of their sppointinent.
(10) Student Interpreter. who may be selected to fill Translatorships may be required to undergo a three years' course of study,
(11) All Chinese Interp aters shall be classified and arranged in one department under the supervision of the Registrar General.
(12.) The Registrar Genral shall keep a nominal record shewing all necessary particulars regard.ng cach Interpreter.
(13.) No Interpreter after completing the period of time he agrees to serve by the terms of the Bond he has made when a Student Interpreter shall leave his appointment inless he previously gives thirty days' notice in writing, under penalty of forfeiting one month's salary.
(14.) Interpreters shall be arranged in three classes, the qualifications for admission or promotion into which shall be as follows:--
Third Class: ***
(1) Knowledge of English.
(2.) Knowledge of one Chinese Dialect.
(3.) Ability to translate an easy petition or letter into English Second Class :—
(1.) Correct knowledge of English.
(2.) Fair knowle Ige of a second, Chinese Dialect.
(3) Ability to translate petitions and business documents
into English
First Class :-
(1) Correct and fluent knowlodge of English,
(2) Thorough knowledge of a second Chinese Dialect and
fair knowledge of a third.
(3.) Ability to translate potitions and business dreuments
into English.
15.) The whole time of an Interpreter is at the disposal of the Govern- ment, and he is liable to be called upon to interpret in any language of which he may have a competent knowledge and to perform clerical or other duties when not engaged in interpreting.
(10.) No Interpreter will be employed or promoted without examina-
tion.
313