HEARING, To the Editor of the "Norra-Caiwa Darry News."
Sin,—I have for the three years, for reasons which will be apparent, carefully studied the Municipal Government of Shanghai, and whilst from a mere perusal of the Anpual Reporte there is much to admire and congratu late the Ratepayers and Council upon, especially in the work which is being accomplished in its various technical departments, it appears to me that the Secretarial Department calls for immediate consideration and reform, No one can deny the importance of this Department of work or the inflaence for good or for which it most exert in the good government of the Settlement, for on the one hand it is the medium by which the Council—natarally composed of bassy men—is brought directly in touch the many branches of ite work, and pon which it is mainly dependent for information whilst onthe other hand it is the ce-ordinating power by which the whole machine of local government is made to work harmoniously in the beat interests of the district it verves, of this Department mast therefore naturally be the Chief Official of the Council, and obviously he should be a man of great knowledge, and otherwise, commanding the ud loyal service of immediate subordinates, and capable of obtaining by hin judicious dealing with them their best services, And with these objects it would appear that one of the firet steps which be should take in the interests of the Council would be a proper delegation of responsibility, by associating his two Acsistants directly with the Departmental work of the Council; other words they should be Depart mental Committee Clerks, In this way they would each become directly soquainted with the work, and they would in this fespacity occupy the same position relatively to the Committees, which he dove to the Conn, of coarse, respects subordinate to The advantages of fare unquestionable, and firmed by the ex; perience of every large Manicipality i country, for not ly impossible for one however able he may be as Town Clerk or Secretary, to do the whole of such work satisfactorily, but by such a delegation he vastly increases the know. ledge and efficiency of his immediate assistante, and the consequent value of their services to the Council,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.