CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5] — Page 238

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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-