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Travers, the Acting Postmaster General may have made, but only after and in the event of his application not having been favourably received.
Amongst the qualifications required for the post in question, I beg to submit that local knowledge, acquaintance with the language, writing and manners of the people of China, together with experience of Post Office work, constitute important factors.
4.
I have the honour therefore to point out that I have passed creditable examinations in written and spoken Chinese, that it is over six years since my arrival in Hongkong on 10th February 1884, that I have served for four years in offices which have afforded many opportunities of gaining experience of local requirements and of the general official routine of the Colony, that I have done duty for two months in the General Post Office during the absence of Mr. Travers on leave in May and June last, and in addition have just been appointed Acting Assistant Postmaster General.
If it be urged that my comparative youth and few years of service hardly warrant being entrusted with so serious responsibilities, I would submit, with deference, that former Cadets in the Hong Kong Colonial Service have been advanced to equally important offices within a few years of arrival in the Colony. For instance, the present Acting Colonial Secretary was appointed Captain Superintendent of Police after three years' service; the late Mr. Lister became Postmaster General in his tenth year of service, and Mr. Lockhart rose to be Registrar General within nine years.