POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8474, 27 January 1891, Page 5

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

THE NEW CLASSIFICATION. fp.Y TELECUAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Monday. A Supplementary Gazette to-night contains the regulations under the Post and Telegraph Classification Act of last session. The first division contains the 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 10 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 orfictrs of the Department under the Act. The first-class clerical division contains 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. The regulations take effect from March 1. 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 ho has passed the senior civil service examination, or an examination equivalent to it. A record of all officers of the department is to be kept, showing the divisions in which they are included, and it must be laid upon the table of the House every session. Any officer may appeal to the Minister against his classification. Vacancies are to be filled from the next three senior officers ; but, if there appears to be no one deemed satisfactory, the Governor shall act 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 to the Minister. Five per cent, is to be deducted from all salaries for a compensation fund. of absence according to scale is provided for, and the existing regulations as to overtime are to be continued with some amendments.