CO129-171 - Acting Governor Austin - 1875 [7-11] -- Sir Kennedy - 1875 [12] — Page 474

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

470

: A. Kennedy's system would fail; at the present time all the cadets except one (who is Chief Clerk in Col. Lec's office and Clerk of Council's) are heads of Departments.

When vacancies occur within any of the same class they take their place; this will be filled up either by merit, cadets, who are likely to be of the necessary calibre and position, or by outsiders probably ignorant of Chinese thoroughness, the same interest in their work and Esprit de corps as attaches to an organized Civil Service.

It is true the Cadet system has not been successful so far as regards interpreting for the Courts goes; this is a wholly different question, & Chinese is an exceptionally difficult language.

I do not see how Sir K. will attain with an inferior article what has not been attained by sending the ablest gentleman from home. One of the Magistrates is an ex-cadet (Mr Russell), but it has been found necessary to retain on the staff of the Courts three Chinese Interpreters, whose salaries are £200, £120 + £90; the argument is of course that an Englishman who has learnt Chinese will be less corrupt, but of course as soon as he is competent he will require at least double the pay, and I cannot see that you can secure that Mr Ball will be a more competent Chinese scholar than Mr Russell. I consider that unless the appointed or magistrate has acquired sufficient knowledge of the language to be a fair check on the native interpreter.

It is also admitted that Sir A. Kennedy's plan has the advantage of present economy; i.e. he shows a saving on the Establishments in the new estimates by having got rid of the vote for cadets, before I believe this at the expense of future civil service & think one or two of the old cadets should be now sent out. The present cadets who are certainly costly articles have been found very useful in acting appointments for Office & branch.

13/12/75

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470: A. Kennedy's system would fail; at the present time all the cadets except one (who is Chief Clerk in Col. Lec's office and Clerk of Council's) are heads of Departments.When vacancies occur within any of the same class they take their place; this will be filled up either by merit, cadets, who are likely to be of the necessary calibre and position, or by outsiders probably ignorant of Chinese thoroughness, the same interest in their work and Esprit de corps as attaches to an organized Civil Service.It is true the Cadet system has not been successful so far as regards interpreting for the Courts goes; this is a wholly different question, & Chinese is an exceptionally difficult language.I do not see how Sir K. will attain with an inferior article what has not been attained by sending the ablest gentleman from home. One of the Magistrates is an ex-cadet (Mr Russell), but it has been found necessary to retain on the staff of the Courts three Chinese Interpreters, whose salaries are £200, £120 + £90; the argument is of course that an Englishman who has learnt Chinese will be less corrupt, but of course as soon as he is competent he will require at least double the pay, and I cannot see that you can secure that Mr Ball will be a more competent Chinese scholar than Mr Russell. I consider that unless the appointed or magistrate has acquired sufficient knowledge of the language to be a fair check on the native interpreter.It is also admitted that Sir A. Kennedy's plan has the advantage of present economy; i.e. he shows a saving on the Establishments in the new estimates by having got rid of the vote for cadets, before I believe this at the expense of future civil service & think one or two of the old cadets should be now sent out. The present cadets who are certainly costly articles have been found very useful in acting appointments for Office & branch.13/12/75
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470: A. Kennedy's system would fail ; atthose who have joined a the foresent time all the cadets exceptA one (who is Chief Clerk in Col: Lec's office Allerk of Council's) are heads of Septexturess.twhen vacancies occur ifthin a of the same class blake their place this will be filled up either by meritation, colettes, who are lovely of the necessary calibre and position, or by outsiden provably ignorant of Chinese thotharing. the same interest in their work and Esprit de corps as attaches to an organized Civil Service.It is true the Endel system has not been inccessfule so far as regardsbut this interpreting for the Courts goes; is a wholly different greation, & Chinese exceptionally difficult language,beingAnརྣམ་Ido not see hour Sit.K. will attain with an inferior article what has not been attained by sending the concated gentleman From home. One of the Magistrates is an excadet (M-Russelt), but it has been found hellssary to retain on the statt of the Courts 13/12/75Three Chinese Interpreters, whose salaries we £200, £120 + £90; there of conve#have are Chinamen who of learnt his Athie arsiment is of course that an Englishman who has leamt Crinere will be less corrupt, but of course ar Loon as he is competent he will refuill at least double the pay, and I cannot you can secure thatSee that after all Mr Ball will be a hore competant "Chimer scholar. than M. Russell. I consider that ustody, ought the appointed or magistrateunters he has acquired sufficient knowledge. 2 the language to be a fair check on the native interpreterIt is alsothe admitted that fir A. Kennedy's plan has the advantage of preannt economy; i.s. he shows a saving on the Establishments in the new cotimates by having fot rid of the vorte for cadets, before Ibelieve thisthe at the expe, de of future civil service & think one or twohome of the old carlets should be now seat out. The possed cadets who are certainly costly articles have been found vem useful in acting appointments for Office & leash.ht as I saidthe
2026-05-21 05:10:46 · Baseline
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470

:

A. Kennedy's system would fail ; at those who have joined a the foresent time all the cadets except

A

one (who is Chief Clerk in Col: Lec's office

Allerk of Council's) are heads of Septexturess.

twhen vacancies occur ifthin a of the same class blake their place this will be filled up either by meritation, colettes, who are lovely of the necessary calibre and position, or by outsiden provably ignorant of Chinese thotharing. the same interest in their work and Esprit de corps as attaches to an organized Civil Service.

It is true the Endel system has not been inccessfule so far as regards

but this interpreting for the Courts goes;

is a wholly different greation, & Chinese

exceptionally difficult language,

being

An

རྣམ་

Ido not see hour Sit.K. will attain with an inferior article what has not been attained by sending the concated gentleman From home. One of the Magistrates is an excadet (M-Russelt), but it has been found

hellssary to retain on

the statt of the Courts

13/12/75

Three Chinese Interpreters, whose salaries

we £200, £120 + £90; there of conve

#

have are Chinamen who of learnt his Athie arsiment is of course that an Englishman who has leamt Crinere will be less corrupt, but of course ar Loon as he is competent he will refuill at least double the pay, and I cannot

you can secure that See that after all Mr Ball will be a hore competant "Chimer scholar. than M. Russell. I consider that ustody, ought the appointed or magistrate unters he has acquired sufficient knowledge. 2 the language to be a fair check on the native interpreter

It is also the admitted that fir A. Kennedy's plan has the advantage of preannt economy; i.s. he shows a saving on the Establishments in the new cotimates by having fot rid of the vorte for cadets, before Ibelieve this the at the expe, de of future civil service & think one or two home of the old carlets should be now seat out. The possed cadets who are certainly costly articles have been found vem useful in acting appointments for Office & leash.

ht as I said

the

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