474
3.
In accordance with the suggestion contained in the third paragraph of Mr. Irving's letter of the 16th of August, reference was made to the Colonial Secretary at Singapore, and Mr. Irving was informed that this was being done. A copy of that letter and of the reply thereto is enclosed.
4.
As I read Captain Young's letter of the 8th October, I understand his meaning to be that Junior Officers rank with Cadets in the Federated Malay States, but that where a vacancy occurs in Class IV of either the Straits Settlements or the Federated Malay States Service, a Junior Officer or an Officer originally appointed as such has no claim to the vacancy by reason of his seniority, and that to such a vacancy Cadets who have entered the Service of either the Straits Settlements or the Federated Malay States by examination are appointed according to seniority qua Cadets and cannot be passed over.
5.
If this interpretation is correct, it appears to me that Mr. Irving's status is not that of a Cadet Officer, and that consequently he can have no claim to any appointment reserved for such an Officer other than that which he now holds, viz.:- Inspector of Schools.
6.