Sessional_Paper_1889 — Page 6

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For this reason it seems desirable to depend on regular interpreters only in respect of the two or three dialects in most common use; and as regards the less common dialects or varieties of dialects to provide the requisite capacity among other Public Officers whose services as interpreters would be called for only when actually required.

Partly with this object therefore, and also to promote improvement in all interpretation, as well as to obtain greater efficiency, through improved knowledge of Chinese, in other departments than the Judicial, the Governor has drafted certain regulations (I) which are now laid on the table and offerred for consideration, as appearing likely to secure what is required within reasonable limits of expense, and under other conditions least open to objection.

With further view to the same objects, the Governor has deemed as well worthy of the test of experiment the suggestion of the Commissioners as to the encouragement of the acquisition of Chinese among the younger members of the non-Chinese, community; and some proposals for the purpose in the form of regulations (II) are also offered for consideration. 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.

1407

In C.S.O. 1491

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

I.

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.