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submit that while I admit that certain
things happened and certain mistakes
were made, I do not admit that there
was a lack of culpable negligence or carelessness on
my part, and I allege matter in extenuation.
First,
As to charge 1, it was, I submit, at most, a
charge that I was guilty of an error of judgment in
not sending for the clerks off duty to help with the work.
When I found that I was unable to get the work done in time,
it was too late to send for them. There is no wilful fault here.
As to charge 3, I do not say that the facts alleged did not occur.
I only say that there was no culpable negligence on my part,
and I have no recollection of the event or explanation at the time.
As to charge 4, the facts are as I stated them.
In conclusion, I beg respectfully to submit that although I have served
for a considerable period under Mr. Travers before he went on leave,
he makes no complaint against me as to that past time;
on the contrary, he has repeatedly reported very favourably on all his staff.
The faults I am now charged with were not faults of wilful negligence
or carelessness or ignorance of my duties, but had their main cause
in a state of affairs in the Post Office for which I was not to blame.
If these faults are now overlooked, the Government will find that under
Mr. Travers' management, I will be able to render as good and as efficient
service as ever, and that there will be no such blunders in the Post Office in the future.
For: J. St. S. Lockhart,
Act. Colonial Secretary.
I have read: Sq. F. A. Barradas.