599
vacancy, and wished to keep the Separation of the office of Collector of Stamp Revenue, from that of Postmaster General, if circumstances had in my opinion rendered it expedient.
Earl of Carnarvon acceded to T. Barff's application for the vacant office, I could not have taken the responsibility of recommending him for the additional pecuniary trust involved in the Collectorship of Colonial Stamp Revenue, and in that event would have suggested that the offices should be kept separate.
Lord Carnarvon having selected a very competent and trustworthy officer, the Post-Master General, I think it will be for the good of the Public Service that he should continue to perform the duties of both heretofore.
My reasons for acquiescing in the Administrator's recommendation were that I thought the salaries as clubbed together by Hon. Mitchell were rather more than a new occupant of the office had claim to, while I thought T. Barff, the Assistant Postmaster General,...