235
C. RO39.
Succes3.
10.
The second officer with experience is Mr S.B. He has acted as Postmaster General with great
Mr E. A. Irving is a candidate for the post, which is a little better as regards pay than that of Inapec- tor of Schoola. Mr Irving is senior to Mr Hessor, and hus boon granted the status of a Cadet. (Details comparing the #46 salaries of the two poata omisted. E.A.I. }
But Mr Irving has had no experience in Postal work, and I do not consider that he has the special qualifi-
cations for the post that Mr Messer possesses. On previous cocasiona when vacancies in the Post Office have had to be filled, stress has been laid on candidates' possession of Postul experionce.
The Colonial Secretary considered me disqua-
lified for three reasons, as follows:-
First, as having had no experience in Postal
work.
Kr Ross acted as Postmaster General
for six months in 1003. I did not feel jus-
tified in making a protest at the time, having
always understood that acting appointments
are made entirely to suit the temporary con-
venicnce of the Government. Yet six years
later, this acting ap cintaent has the effect
of cutweighing my 2 yedas' seniority over
Mr Roas, When again, as quoted on page 6 above
Mr May recommended that Mr Wolfe should act
as Postmaster Geberal over my houd, he was
giving that officer preferential claims to
the substantive ap-ointment, whenever it might
fall vacht.
A
Second, as lacking the "special qualification"
of "financial ability" and "quicknoas in deal-
ing with figures". I van bescil no instance
of a record to that effect, and submit that
the way I have managed the work of my Depart-