As Six H. Blake told me, he only associates less in the colony, with officials in less exalted positions, I suspect it is more his fault than the fault of the officers of the cadet class who will never treat properly, officials, like Mr. I don Lewis, who are sent out to fill special posts, & who have no prospects of promotion to the higher appointments, reserved for cadets.
See last par but one in Conf. to 1422. That is why I have always strongly opposed sending out any outsider to Hong Kong midway between the clerical staff, which is recruited locally, & the higher appointments, which are practically reserved for cadets.
If Mr. Lewis is, as I believe he is, efficient in the performance of his duties in the P.O., I think he ought to be promoted to be P.M.G. but if he is not promoted, the post should be offered to some cadet in the service, either at Hong Kong or Str. Settlements or the F.M.S. (which I regard as interchangeable).
It was decided in 1898, that having a postal expert we do not require an expert as Asst. P.M.G. or the services of one as P.M.G. & the cadets have generally been P.M.G. in the East.
I doubt very much whether Mr. Maynard is quick enough for the promotion even on his merits.
See 5754/03 and 68913. C.Pd. 13 May & Min.
Dear Sir,
General Post Office.
Hong Kong, 24th Jany 1902.
Presuming on your much valued courtesy to me when passing through London on my way to Hongkong, I venture to ask a favour at your hands, which I trust you will not consider me too presumptuous in doing.
I knew the Captain Hastings who you knew when he was in England on leave, I very much regret to say shortly after he returned in September last fell ill and after three months of intense suffering passed away on the 22nd instant. His post as Postmaster General is thus rendered vacant, and I have sent in an application for it to the Government here for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I enclose a copy of my letter.
I shall ever be most grateful should you be kind...