CO129-387 - Individuals - 1911 — Page 221

214

worked. The rising generation of the latter oes not appear to have any of the good qualities of their fathers, but seem to be about on a par with the Chinese. Hence it was that I endeavoured to obtain

Europeans.

15.

I have never been satisfied with any Chinese clerk,

nor expressed myself as such. Mr Chan Pui, the senior Chinese clerk possesses the rare attribute, in a Chinese clerk, of diligence; he is a quick worker, and, I am told, a good accountant; but he has shown

himself, more than once, to be untrustworthy.

16. As to the late Mr Botelho. This officer had been

more than 38 years in the Department, and died at his work. He was a

most valuable officer, thoroughly reliable, most capable, hard-working, loyal, honest, and self-effacing. During all his long service there

had never been a breath against his probity or capability. It was

towards the last, when he was undoubtedly slowly dying, that he became

less methodical, and apt to forget and mislay things. There is no

doubt that it was this that led to the small deficiencies which appeared,

but would never have become possible had there been any loyalty in the

Chinese assistants,

ww

Paragraph 7.

notably Mr Chan Pui.

17. That these orders were not reduced to writing was, I

admit, an oversight on my part, and one for which I am unable to acccount

But I submit that my failure to put in writing orders which were admit-

-tedly received verbally by the clerks concerned, should not, alone,

render me liable to repay the stolen money.

18. The "covering over" of the circular in question does

not appear to be of any importance. It was exhibited in the "Entry &

Clearance" Office, where the persons to whom it was addressed (the ship

Owners