478A
Mr Brewin and Mr Badeley are officers of Class
I of the Service:
Mr Thomson is an officer
in Class II.
If the appointment of Colonial
Secretary or of Colonial Treasurer were to
fall vacant, I assume that you would recommend
for the post that officer in the Hong Kong
service who was fittest to hold it. Similar
considerations would no doubt decide the ap-
pointment of an officer to act in the post.
Whatever may be the strict reading of the rule
cannot
as to seniority, I cannot imagine that an of-
ficer in Class II would, on that ground alone,
be regarded as having a claim to be considered
before an officer in Class I.
I have,
&C.