CO129-310 - Acting Governor Major Gen Gascoigne - 1902 [1-4] — Page 550

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

518

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.

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518 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.
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518 Int Lewis is himself a subordinate, the difficulties ate Europeans placed under him the advancement which he desires. 3. With regard to Mr Merser's application, I reduced to a minimum, as can always look beyond him to the Hear H am that the state the Hongkong V Post Office Department. There is not, therefore, any objection to the post of his holding the duties of with success. Assistant Postmaster exeneral, which he is well well qualified to discharge As Postmaster General, however, his for himself and position would be a difficult eminently unsatisfactory to all European members of his in recent years has demonstrated the necessity of that Department being in the hands Energetic officer branches of postal work. capable and with a good knowledge of the technical This fact has been recognized by yourself, and it has recurred to me that you one who has may desire to offer this appointment to been thoroughly trained in the General Post Office at staff. 9 am Moreover obliged to add that his Lewis's educational attainments an Cat looks for Li am Head of a Department. taking his appropriate social position among :partmental heads, and yet it would be hardly those which officer who holds the portion of He would not be capable of branches home, and who is content to look for advancement I am in the postal only V The service. 4 other de the average treat him on high opinion, therefore, capabilitics AM equality with them. necessary While I have a to the necessary time, and that the catholicity of Tove Lewis's industry and general training 9 feel quite unable to recommend him fm assimilating Une details J opinion, however, that an officer of the mental stamp of cadet should be well qualified to acquire technical knowledge in a short space of his previous academie should render him speedily capable of office contine and Post administration
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518

Int Lewis is himself a subordinate, the difficulties

ate

Europeans placed under him

the advancement which he desires.

3. With regard to Mr Merser's application, I

reduced to a minimum, as

can always

look beyond

him to the Hear

H

am

that the state

the Hongkong V

Post Office

Department. There is not, therefore, any objection to

the post of

his holding

the duties

of

with success.

Assistant Postmaster exeneral,

which he is well

well qualified to discharge

As Postmaster General, however, his

for himself and

position would be a

difficult

eminently unsatisfactory to all European members of his

in recent years

has demonstrated the necessity of

that Department being in the hands

Energetic officer

branches of postal work.

capable and

with

a

good knowledge of the technical

This fact has been recognized

by yourself,

and it has recurred to me

that

you

one who has

may

desire to offer this appointment to been thoroughly trained in the General Post Office at

staff.

9

am

Moreover

obliged to add that his

Lewis's educational

attainments an

Cat

looks

for

Li

am

Head of a Department.

taking his appropriate social position among

:partmental heads, and yet it would be

hardly those which

officer who holds the portion of

He would not be capable of

branches

home, and who is content to look for advancement

I am in the postal only

V

The service.

4

other de

the average

treat him on

high opinion, therefore,

capabilitics

AM

equality with them.

necessary

While I have a

to

the

necessary

time, and that the catholicity of

Tove Lewis's industry and general

training

9

feel quite unable to recommend him

fm

assimilating

Une details

J

opinion, however, that an officer of the mental stamp of

cadet should be well qualified to acquire

technical knowledge in a short space of

his previous academie

should render him speedily capable of

office contine and

Post

administration

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