CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7] — Page 158

The case of the Police requires somewhat different treatment. Their tenure of office for a short fixed period renders unsuitable a reward in the shape of a lump sum; and it is moreover expedient in their case that a somewhat lower standard of knowledge of Chinese than is required from other Public Servants should not go without reward. For these and other reasons, after consultation with the Captain Superintendent and the Board of Examiners, the Governor has deemed it well to retain the principle of the existing system of rewards for acquisition of Chinese, increasing however the sums paid per mensem for the lower standards of knowledge, and adding a third standard, the attainment of which will carry a reward quite equal to that offered to the rest of the service. In another paper (III) now laid on the table will be found the scale of premiums which it is proposed to offer.

Though these various regulations which are suggested for adoption will probably be found to require amendment after experience has been gained of their working, the Governor hopes that they will at least bring about substantial improvement in the condition of things which was the subject of the Commissioners' enquiry, and will thus tend to the greater efficiency of the Public Service.

By Command,

Government House, Hongkong, 10th January, 1889.

FREDERICK STEWART, Colonial Secretary,

I.

157

In C.S.O. 4497

Proposed Regulations for Public Officers, other than Members of the Police Force, for the encouragement of proficiency in the Chinese language.

Public Officers who pass an examination, to the satisfaction of the Examiners, in the Chinese language, of the Cantonese or Hakka dialect, or any other dialect to be approved by the Governor, will receive an allowance according to the following scale :-

For colloquial and written Chinese, For colloquial only,

Officers in receipt of salaries under $200 per month.

$400 300

Officers with salaries over $200 a month. $600 450

This regulation to apply only in respect of dialects which Officers have hitherto not professed to understand, or in which they have hitherto not been employed to interpret.

II.

The allowance will be granted to Cadets who acquire proficiency in other dialects than those in which they have passed.

III.

On receipt of an allowance under these regulations, an Officer will be required to give security for the re-payment of the whole sum, or such proportion of it as may be fixed by the Governor, in the event of the Officer leaving the service of the Colony within three years from the time of receipt.

IV.

The allowance for a Chinese Teacher will be continued to Officers, who have passed their Examinations, for a period not exceeding three years, on their satisfying the Board of Examiners at the end of each year, that they are profiting by the teaching.

II.

In C.S.O. 4

Proposal for the encouragement of the acquisition of the Chinese language among residents of the Colony, with a view to

secure efficient interpretation in the Courts of Justice and Public Offices.

I.

The Governor to appoint 3 Student Interpreters, each to be attached to such Depart- ment of the Public Service as to the Governor may seem fit, selection to be made from, Residents in the Colony under 16 years of age, who have shown an aptitude for acquiring the Chinese language, and who have distinguished themselves in the higher examinations of any of the Public Schools of the Colony, especially as regards the English Language.

II.

The salary of the Student Interpreters will be 40 Dollars a month, payable however subject to a certificate of the Examiners after every period of six months, to the effect that satisfactory progress is being made in knowledge of the Chinese language, and in the facility of interpreting it into English and vice versa.

pass

III.

Any student Interpreter who at the end of three years from his appointment as such shall a satisfactory examination in the Chinese language, and whose conduct in other respects shall have earned approval, will be appointed to an office with a salary of not less than 100 Dollars a month if, or as soon as, he is of the age of 18 years.

IV.

Every student Interpreter on his appointment shall furnish security for the repayment of a sum not exceeding half of the whole sum received by him by way of salary, in the event of his leaving the service of the Colony before the expiration of 6 years from the time of his appointment.

[17.1.89.]