He could therefore speak Mandarin, the official language of Qing Government, Cantonese and a number of southern Chinese dialects such as Hakka, Hokkien, Foochew, and Teochew.

Pickering played a part in putting an end to the incessant troubles between the Ghee Hin and Hai San who had engaged in open warfare over the tin fields at Larut since 1861.

Around 9 January 1874, together with McNair and Dunlop, Pickering met with Capitan China Chung Keng Quee, a person of considerable influence with the Hai San secret society.

[4][5][6][7] Pickering met the famous explorer Captain Speedy in Larut, who envied him for his ability to both speak Chinese and play the bagpipes.

One recommendation in this report was that every coolie-to-be who arrived at Boat Quay should first encounter a British official who could speak his language and let the immigrant know that "there was an officer of the Government whose special duty is to protect and befriend him".