"The chief traders would, as a general rule, be placed at the head of
districts, and the clerks in charge of posts.
"The very efficient class of officers known as 'postmasters' would
remain as at present. They are usually men who have risen from the
ranks from merit; and, being good interpreters, and Indian traders, are
commonly placed in charge of small posts. Their scale of pay is rather
less than that of clerks, and they are rarely advanced to any higher
rank; indeed, their ambition is satisfied when they are made
postmasters.
"Reverting to the mode of paying officers, and making their incomes to
some extent dependent on the success of the business, it might answer
to give them an interest as stockholders. Instead of paying a chief
trader 300l. per annum, he might have 250l., and a sum of
1,000l. of stock placed to his credit, of which he would receive
the dividends only, the stock itself reverting to the Company when his
connection with them terminated.
"A councillor might have 700l. pay and the dividends on
2,000l. stock. It would also be a great encouragement to the
officers, and secure prolonged service, to give them an annual increase
of stock - say, 200l. to be added for every year's service.
