440
Mr Settle for the place was confirmed
Unfortunately
A man of English training & education is in the second place in the Colonial Secretary's Office. It was not the man wanted.
Mr Settle clearly stated that matters have been made worse by the promotion of the English 3rd class Mr Travers to be Assistant Postmaster.
Two wants require to be rectified:
-1. To lighten the work of the Colonial Secretary.
-2. To have an Englishman as the second man in the office.
The first might possibly have been met by transferring the Audit work from the Colonial Secretary to some other officer, but this would have left the second difficulty untouched. I can therefore see no better solution than the appointment of this new officer, on the understanding that he helps with the Audit work as well as in the C.S.O.
The objection to it is that it is rather extravagant, practically reducing Mr Settle to the 3rd place. Sir G. Bowen in his concluding words seems to suggest that the new man should act as Colonial Secretary while the latter is on leave.
This proposal is dealt with on the then pending Paper, Ref: 81 113487.
This would not be a just arrangement, but need not be noticed till the contingency actually arises.
His private letter said that he would like a telegraphic answer.
Received on 4 July