Both in Ceylon & the Straits the Head of the Post Office has usually been of the cadet class, and I think that we should distinctly maintain that practice, i.e. of considering that they have a preferential claim to such Office. But in exceptional cases where there is specially good reason, a Candidate with Post Office Experience, his claims may well be considered.
Such a man perhaps is M. Travers see annexed recommended & as I have said.
I do not think his connection with the Barradas defalcations should be considered as barring him.
As to Mr. Barff, the other non-cadet Candidate, he was a Candidate for the same post in 1874; as now distinctly not recommended.
If M. Travers is appointed, I think the question of the salary of his office may well be reconsidered that he should be only General Postmaster, the post of collector of Stamps being combined with the Treasurership (as proposed on 17271).
The salaries of the three offices are at present:
Postmaster $3840 $5184 Collector of Stamps $960 $1296 Treasurer $697 Total $5760 $7776Besides this the P.M.G. gets £100 from Imperial funds.
Considering the kind of work required of a Postmaster, I think the pay of $5184 + £100 should not be excessive for a continued Treasurer + P.M.G. (W. Travers getting $2400 as Ass. P.M.G.).
I would suggest giving him $3600 and quarters (as to Quarters, see 17716).
The salaries of the two new offices rearranged would be:
Treasurer $4000 P.M.G. $3600 Total $7600This is only a rise on the salary that W. Lister if he had lived would have drawn for the combined office from...
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