CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12] — Page 483

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.