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Int Lewis is himself a subordinate, the difficulties Europeans placed under him retard the advancement which he desires.
3. With regard to Mr Merser's application, I have reduced to a minimum, as I can always look beyond him to the Head of the Hongkong Post Office Department. There is not, therefore, any objection to his holding the post of Assistant Postmaster General, which he is well qualified to discharge with success.
As Postmaster General, however, his position would be a difficult one and eminently unsatisfactory to all European members of his staff. The experience of recent years has demonstrated the necessity of that Department being in the hands of an energetic, capable, and officer with a good knowledge of the technical branches of postal work.
This fact has been recognized by yourself, and it has recurred to me that you may desire to offer this appointment to one who has been thoroughly trained in the General Post Office at Home.
9 am obliged to add that his educational attainments and social position looks for a Head of a Department. Taking his appropriate position among Departmental heads, and yet it would be hardly those which an officer who holds the portion of branches at home, and who is content to look for advancement only in the postal service.
4 other departments treat him on equality with them. While I have a high opinion, therefore, of Lewis's industry and general capabilities, I feel quite unable to recommend him for the necessary training and catholicity of view, which I consider necessary at the time, and that the assimilating of details should render him speedily capable of office routine and Post Office administration.
My opinion, however, is that an officer of the mental stamp of a cadet should be well qualified to acquire technical knowledge in a short space of time.