a year to L800; 1st class, L850,
increasing by L50 a year to L1000. Their pensions are fixed by the
Superannuation Act 1859, 22 Vict. c. 26:--

"To any person who shall have served ten years and upwards, and under
eleven years, an annual allowance of ten-sixtieths of the annual
salary and emoluments of his office:

"For eleven years and under twelve years, an annual allowance of
eleven-sixtieths of such salary and emoluments:

"And in like manner a further addition to the annual allowance of
one-sixtieth in respect of each additional year of such service, until
the completion of a period of service of forty years, when the annual
allowance of forty-sixtieths may be granted; and no additions shall be
made in respect of any service beyond forty years."

The "ordinary annual holidays allowed to officers" (1st class) "shall
not exceed thirty-six week-days during each of their first ten years
of service and forty-eight week-days thereafter." Order in Council,
15th August 1890.

"Within that maximum heads of departments have now, as they have
hitherto had, an absolute discretion in fixing the annual leave."

Sick leave can be granted on full salary for not more than six months,
on half-salary for another six months.

The scale of salary for 2nd division clerks begins at L70 a year,
increasing by L5 to L100; then L100 a year, increasing by L7, 10s. to
L190; and then L190 a year, increasing by L10 to L250. The highest is
L300 to L500. Advancement in the 2nd division to the higher ranks
depends on merit, not seniority. The ordinary annual holiday of the 2nd
division clerks is 14 working days for the first five years, and 21
working days afterwards. They can be allowed sick leave for six months
on full pay and six months on half-pay. The subjects of their
examination are: (1) handwriting and orthography, including copying MS.;
(2) arithmetic; (3) English composition; (4) precis, including indexing
and digest of returns; (5) book-keeping and shorthand writing; (6)
geography and English history; (7) Latin; (8) French; (9) German; (10)
elementary mathematics; (11) inorganic chemistry with elements of
physics. Not more than four of the subjects (4) to (11) can be taken.
The candidate must be between the ages of 17 and 20. A certain number of
the places in the 2nd division were reserved for the candidates from the
boy clerks appointed under the old system. The competition is severe,
only about o