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The advisability of exhuming all bodies buried in public cemeteries after an interval of seven years was discussed in the Sanitary Board, but the Chinese would not declare them- selves in favour of such a practice except in the sections where burials are free.

A Sub-Committee of the Board has been appointed to select a site suitable for a cemetery for the more well-to-do classes of the Chinese, in which it would be possible to purchase family burial places and build tombs of the customary design. It is to be hoped a convenient site can be found and approved by the Government.

The local Chinese Press which has developed considerably during the last few years consisted at the beginning of the year of nine newspapers with an estimated circulation of 27,000 copies. Two anti-dynastic newspapers died during the year but another one was started, and a second is to commence after the Chinese New Year.

20.-Staff.

1. The Registrar General was absent on vacation leave from the 28th August to the 3rd October, and Mr. E. A. IRVING, Inspector of Schools, acted during his absence.

2. The Assistant Registrar General, Mr. C. CLEMENTI, ceased to act as Assistant Land Officer, New Territories, on the 23rd September and went on leave of absence on the 29th September. Mr. J. DYER BALL acted for him throughout the year except when on sick leave from 4th September to 1st October, during which period Mr. J. R. Woon acted.

3. The Superintendent of Statistics :-Dr. W. W. PEARSE performed the duties up to the 22nd September when Dr. F. W. CLARK took them over again.

4. The First Clerk, Mr. J. J. BULLIN, retired on pension on the 20th June and was succeeded by Mr. LEUNG PING-FAI on the 5th July.

5. Chinese Writers:-Mr. Au FUNG-CHI's resignation which took effect on the 1st March means a great loss to me personally as well as to the Government. His place was filled by the appointment of Mr. Lau TsZ-PING, the temporary Chinese Writer.

In connection with this change, Mr. TANG SHI-KIT's services were dispensed with on 36th April, and Mr. CHAU SHING-IP, the Chinese Teacher to the Student Interpreters, was appointed on a higher salary.

Mr. SO UT-TAI was transferred to the Harbour Department on the 11th October, and Mr. CHAN FUNG-TING was appointed on the 8th November.

6. Shroff:-Mr. CUAN LU-FONG died on the 20th May and Mr. LAU TIN-TSUN was appointed on 30th May. Mr. WONG HAU-NAM was transferred to the Harbour Office at the close of the year and his post abolished.

7. First Registration Clerk:-Mr. KWAN SHAU-KU was transferred to the Public Works Department on the 12th April and Mr. LAM SHU-PUI was appointed on the 12th May.

8. Translator:-Mr. WONG PO SHAU was appointed temporarily from the beginning of the year.

9. Second Interpreter:-Mr. TANG TAT-HUNG was promoted to the post of Emigration Interpreter and Clerk on the 1st May and Mr. Kwok WA-FAN received the temporary appointment on the 3rd May.

10. Emigration Interpreter and Clerk:-Mr. FuNG HON was transferred to the Magis- tracy at Taipo, New Territories on the 12th April and his place was filled by the temporary appointment of Mr. TANG TAT-HUNG on the 1st May.

The grading scheme for clerks' salaries was introduced in the Department at the close of the year.

23rd February, 1907,

A. W. BREWIN,

Registrar General.