permanently, or temporarily, by the State for deferriments. Sam strongly opposed for many reasons, which I'm not going to specify here, to the abolition of the present system of providing for the Maintenance of the Civil Service by the appointment of Cadets by competitive examination in London. The system has its drawbacks - Most people have - but those who decry it can hardly be aware of the grave scandal, which culminated about the time that Deutsch & Söhnen came to the story, that was not the natural outcome of its administration. (C). There should be someone in the office competent, in the temporary absence of the Chief Clerk, to draft despatches. I do not like to continue unimportant details for the Governor's approval; and that in a class of work that practically can be performed satisfactorily only by an Englishman.
4.
For the above reasons, Sam is in favour of abolishing his post of Chief Clerk when opportunity offers, and decidedly for the opinion that the post of Asst. Col. Sec. should be returned. But this high post should be filled by an officer who should occupy it for a considerable number of years, certainly not less than ten, as his value would in some respects be proportionate to the length of his acquaintance with the previous history of cases, and decisions formed. He should keep a note-book, for the information of his successor, of important decisions with a reference to the register numbers of the papers connected with them; and it would be desirable, with a view to obtaining a competent successor, that whenever he is absent, the same officer should, if possible, be appointed to act for him.
To provide a separate remuneration for such an officer, a salary should be attached to the post, say, $3000 rising by biennial increments to $4000 per annum. It is an open question whether he should also be Clerk of the Councils. There are pros and cons: on the whole, I incline to think that he should, for his duties stem from the office.