CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12] — Page 589

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In a few instances even when neighbouring Crown Colonies

have requisitioned my free advice and aid, I have not

withheld them although at considerable loss of time and

labour to myself. I can confidently assert that no one

else in this Colony, past or present, has held so many

public and honorary appointments and sat on so many

Commissions and Committees as I have done and am still

doing, nor has any one rendered such services to the

Government in their dealings with the Chinese as myself

with however, the notable exception of my Honourable

Colleague in Council, Mr. Wel A Yuk, whose services in

this particular respect are quite equal to if not greater

than mine. I appeal to the public records of this Colony.

In stating the above I am not prompted by any spirit

of self-glorification (a thing which I cordially dislike)

but rather to clearly indicate to His Excellency that it

is absurd to for a moment suppose that a fee of a few

hundreds of dollars for actual professional services

rendered is likely to influence me in the strict perfor-

-mance of my public duties.

In conclusion, I hope His Excellency after a que

consideration of the above remarks will kindly inform me at his pleasure and early convenience his opinion and decision in this matter, and indicate to me a line of conduct for my future guidance so as to enable me to decide to what an extent I can sacrifice my time and labour to the devotion and performance of purely Public and Honorary duties compatible with the means of earning a livelihood as a professional man.

I have the honour to remain,

Sir,

Sir John Keane, Bart.,

Private Secretary.

Your obedient servant

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