CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2] — Page 213

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principle, and affords an opportunity for testing the

ability of an officer in a lower "class" whom the Governor

may have in view as the eventual successor to that appoint-

-ment, and in such a case his particular fitness for the

post rather than his precise seniority would govern the

selection.

6.

In giving effect to this system it

would be necessary to lay down as general rules (a) that

the two senior officers of a department should not be

simultaneously absent on leave, (b) that the head of one

department should not be transferre-d to act in another

department while his chief assistant is absent from the

Colony and (c) that heads of departments (such as the

Treasury, Sanitary Department, &c.) who have no Assistants

should usually act for each other, and should not there-

-fore be absent simultaneously.

7.

I am of course aware that it is

within the power of the Governor to make any acting ap

-pointment he pleases, but as the system I propose to

adopt will to a considerable extent be a new departure in

this Colony I shall be glad to know that it has your

approval