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M: Travers has been Assistant Postmaster General since the year 1885, having first joined the Civil Service of this Colony in 1874. He acted as Postmaster General and a Collector of Stamps during Mr. Lister's absence in 1888 and 1889, and on more than one occasion Mr. Lister testified to the efficient manner in which he had performed such duties.
But I am in duty bound to mention to Your Lordship that it was during the period that Mr Travers was connected with the Post Office either as Assistant Postmaster or Acting Postmaster General that the defalcations took place which I have mentioned in my despatch No. 26.2 of this day.
I do not wish for a moment to impute any personal blame to Mr Travers, he probably allowed things to continue as he found them unaltered.