To the Deputy Postmaster General, Sydney from the Postmaster, Ralph Clemenger, dated 10 August 1903.
In view of the fact that you are empowered to make such arrangements as may be considered desirable with officers who embraced the 'non-official regulation' [a classification of postmaster] framed in August 1896, I respectfully beg to apply for an increase of salary and am hopeful that the following facts will cause my application to receive favourable cosideration.
For the past seven years I have received no increase whatever, while officers in charge of surrounding stations of similar status have, during that period, been in receipt of two and in some instances of three increases of salary.
Although regarded as a non-official Post and Telegraph Master, I would like to point out that in every respect I perform similar duties to official officers, and in some matters am actually saddled with work which they are not called upon to undertake. For instance, while several official postmasters who receive the periodical increments have not to perform Electoral duties, and have not to keep their offices open after 6pm, I both act as Deputy Electoral Registrar and do not close until 8pm, being on duty daily from 7.30am to 8.15pm.
The fact that I have been allowed to perform relieving duty at official stations should I think go to prove, that, although I have embraced the non-official regulation, I am hardly viewed in the same light as other non-official officers. I am also called upon to pay the regular fidelity premium, and am expected to perform telegraph messengers duties.
While freely admitting that it was my own desire to embrace the non-official regulation, I feel sanguine that a glance at the papers bearing upon my case will disclose the fact that I was treated with unmerited severity in the initial reorganisation scheme, and that the utter hopelessness of the outlook made me enter into a contract which has been as advantageous to the Department as it has been disastrous to myself.
To find my own Assistant, pay rent for Office premises (which rent has been recently incresed), buy my own lights, and give constant and faithful attention for twelve, and often fourteen hours daily, for £120 per annum hardly means a bare existence.
I respectfully contend that the revenue in connection with this office is not a fair indication of the work performed, inasmuch as I handle all the mail matter for several small offices in the locality, such work producing no revenue for which I can take credit. The Departmental book, shewing the interchange of mail between offices, will substantiate what I affirm.
I sincerely trust that you will recommend that I be allowed £145 per annum for my services as non-official Post & Telegraph Master here, and in consideration of my finding my own assistant and office premises.
Should you not be able to accede to my request, perhaps you may see your way clear to allow my wife, Ellen Clemenger (who is a telegraphist and assists me with the work generally) the sum of £26 per annum as temporary assistant.
I may be pardoned for calling attention to the fact that during my lengthy service extending over twenty two years, I have never had a single fine recorded against me for anything whatever.