POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 23, 28 January 1891, Page 8

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

THE NEW CLASSIFICATION,

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington*, this day. A Supplementary Gazette last night contains the regulations under the Post and Telegraph Classification Act of last session. The "first division contains tho names of Dr. Lemon and Mr Gray (secretary) only. The next is the clerical division divided into six classes, some of them with two grades, then cadets, chief postmasters (divided into three grades), postmasters (in four grades). The non-clerical division contains"the 16 women employed by the Department, linemen, letter carriers, messengers, counter and assistant clerks, exchange clerks, distributors, and messengers. The last two are not deemed to be officers of the Department under the Act. The first-class clerical division contaims nine officers with salaries ranging from £350 to £550 ; the second class six, salaries from £370 to £400 ; the third class four, salaries from £315 to £355 ; the fourth class six, salaries from £260 to £300. Chief postmasters get the maximum of £500 ; the second grade from £370 to £425 ; the third grade from £310 to £350. Tho regulations take eS'ecfc from March Ist.

The regulations provide that no one shall enter the clerical division except he has passed the sixth standard, and no one shall be eligible for promotion beyond the fifth class unless he has passed the senior Civil Service examination, or an examination equivalent to it. A record of all officers of" tho department is to be showing the divisions in which they are included, and ib must be laid upon the table of the House every session. Any officer may appeal to the Minister against hie classification. Vacancies are to be filled from the next three senior officers ; bub, if there appears to be no one deemed satisfactory, the Governor shall ace as he thinks fit. In the second class the superintendent or secretary will present the names of the three senior officers, and select and recommend the one he deems best qualified. In the other classes the superintendent or secretary will promote without reference bo the Minister. Five per cent, is to be deducted from al! salaries for a compensation fund Leave of absence according to .scale is provided for, and the existing regulations as to overtime are to be continued with seme amendments.