CO537-(36-37) — Page 38

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They need not be.

1565720

A.

5220

A.

Ir Shelton Hooper:-

The Chairman:- 57

A.

5-5--8

Are you aware that they invariably are ?

I was not aware that they invariably are.

Clark sa 916

151651

You have been in charge of the Department for some 15652

months. Have you never found out that that is so ?

Did you never think that you, as Head of the Department,

absolutely as you think according to your reading of

the ordinance, that you are absolutely in supreme

-

control, did you never think to find out how the

correspondence was dealt with.

Has the Secretary told you that all the letters are

opened by Chinese clerks, because I have seen him open

letters myself ?

15653

Certainly he has told us so, that the rule is that any

letters addressed to the Secretary, or to "G. ha

Woodcock. Esq.," as Secretary of the benartment,

opened by a Chinese clerk.

Or to the Board,

are

Did you ever think it part of your dut: to arcertein 15654

that the correspondence was properly dealt with ↑

It never occurred to me to ask the question, as to who

opened such correspondence.

15655-

Do you think anything can justify the opening of those

letters by a Chinese clerk

57

A.

No, it seems to me utterly foolish. There are two

Europeans there, and I cant see any reason for it.

15656

And yet this system has been going on for several years,

and you were not aware of it ↑

A.

Is not aware of it.

Er Lau Chu Paki-

***

57

A.

Yes, I have acted as Secretary.

5-8 8.

Did you not sometimes act as Secretary ?

15657

When you acted as Secretary, did you allow letters to:5b8

be opened by a Chinese clerk, too?

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:-

...............................O. 537

36

OUT PERMISSION OF REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHICALLY WITH COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH – NOT TO DE

OF THE PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LONDON