541
Enclosure No. 2 to Despatch No. 57 of the 18th April, 1903.
Hongkong,
Assessor's Office, The Treasury,
25th January, 1902.
27 MAR 02
Honourable C. McI. Messer,
Acting Colonial Treasurer.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, an application for promotion to the appointment of Postmaster-General rendered vacant by the death of Captain Hastings, R.N.
2.
I have a slight knowledge of Postal work and am acquainted with the method of keeping accounts in vogue in Sub-post Offices in England, having frequently assisted my Father who has been for many years a Sub-Postmaster.
3.
I have held my present appointment since the 12th October, 1899.
4.
On the 19th June, 1901, when in England on leave of absence, I was notified by Colonial Office Letter No. 13887/1901, in reply to an application for promotion in the Colonial Service, that my name had been noted, and would be considered with those of others on the occurrence of vacancies.
5.
Sir William Robinson, G.C.M.G., lately Governor of this Colony, was pleased to support my application. His recommendation, dated 19th March, 1901, from which an extract is given below, was forwarded to the Colonial Office on 19th March, 1901.
Extract.
Mr. Arthur Chapman of Hongkong is well known to me. He is in the Public Service and is a very efficient Officer.
He is fully qualified for a good appointment in any Colonial Postal, Jail, or Police Department, and I should be glad to hear that his long services have been recognized.
Should I be fortunate enough to be selected for this important post, it will be my constant and earnest endeavour to diligently and faithfully discharge the onerous duties of the Office, and to continue to deserve the confidence of the Government, which I venture