Miscellaneous No. 43.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
MR. WOODS' CASE.
In January 1859 Mr. Woods, being then a supple. mentary clerk in the Treasury at a salary of 4007. a year, was transferred to the Colonial Office as sub- librarian at the same rate of salary, but with an intimation that "his probable though not only "possible advancement would be to the post of
librarian, 6007. to 8001., rising by twenties."
In the same year the librarianship became vacant, but Mr. Halksworth, and not Mr. Woods, was promoted to it.
Some years later the pay of the situation which Mr. Woods had occupied at the Treasury was raised to 500%., and Mr. Woods applied to have his salary as sub-librarian raised to that amount, but was refused on the ground that the librarianship was still open to him.
In 1870 (July 1st) Mr. Halksworth retired, the librarianship being at the same time abolished as a part of the scheme which was then adopted for the revision of the office establishment. Mr. Woods was then placed, with the title of library assistant, on the scale of pay and increments attached to that which was then called the assistant class in this office, viz., 3501., rising by 201. to 6001.; Mr. Woods entering the class at 4001.
This was an improved position, but not such pro- motion as Mr. Woods considered he had a right to expect, and in a letter dated the 18th July he re- quested to be placed at the maximum rate of pay of the assistant class.
Treasury. Consequently on the 21st of July 1870, Lord 9461/70. Kimberley drew the attention of the Treasury to the position in which Mr. Woods was placed by the abolition of the post of librarian (600l. to 8007.), and recommended that he should be placed at the maximum salary of the class in which he was then ranked (the assistant class, 3507. to 6007.), being the same as the minimum of the abolished Jibrarianship.
Treasury.
The Treasury refused, 30th August 1870. Lord 9461/70. Kimberley (10th July 1871) again pressed for a reconsideration of this decision; but the Treasury Treasury (18th July 1871) declined to alter it, and feeling 7169/71. that the question was one in respect of which the decision must ultimately rest with the Treasury, the Secretary of State did not renew his represents- tions.
"
When the office was re-organised in 1872, the designations of "principal clerks,” first-class clerks," and "second-class clerks were adopted instead of "senior clerks," "assistant clerks," and
"junior clerks" respectively. Also the pay of the second-class clerks was fixed at 2501., rising by 201. to 6001., and Mr. Woods, whose salary was rising to 6001. at the same rate, was then classed as a second-class clerk. Although Mr. Woods' emolu- ments were not thereby affected, the change of status and designation was unsatisfactory to him, as he
Q 3886.
50.-11/80. Pk. 85.
A