Admiralty Order in Council No. 41

9th October 1903.

N.

Whereas we have had under our consideration the establishment of Officers of the Accountant Branch of Your Majesty's Navy, and the regulations governing the retirement of such Officers for non-service.

And whereas we are of opinion that the Accountant Branch should be enlarged by the institution of the new rank of Paymaster-in-Chief on the Active List, and that the rules for the retirement of Accountant Officers in respect of non-service should be modified.

We beg leave humbly to recommend that Your Majesty may be graciously pleased by Your Order in Council to sanction the following proposals : —

1. That from the first October 1903 the rank of Paymaster-in-Chief on the Active List be instituted with relative rank as Captain, R.N., of 3 years' seniority, under the following regulations as to promotion, pay, &c. : —

Promotion. — To be by selection, provided that the Officers have 20 years' service, including time served as Secretary, Paymaster, Acting Paymaster, and not more than 4 years' time as Assistant Paymaster.

Paymasters-in-Chief on the Active List to be eligible for appointment as Secretary to a Flag Officer, as in the case of other Accountant Officers.

The present regulations as to the promotion of Officers to the retired rank of Paymaster-in-Chief to remain in force.

Full Pay.— To be at the rate of 38s. a day.

Half Pay. — To be at a fixed rate of 17s. a day

Age for Retirement. — The ages for optional and compulsory retirement to be 55 and 60 respectively. Paymasters-in-Chief to be compulsorily retired after 3 years' continuous non- service in the rank, or at any time, if found unfit for further active service.

Retired Pay. — The regulations for Fleet, &c. Paymasters to be applicable to Paymasters-in-Chief.

Widows Pensions and Compassionate Allowances to Children, — To be under the same regulations as those applicable to Paymasters-in-Chief on the Retired List.

The maximum number of Paymasters-in-Chief on the Active List to be fixed at 12.

Six promotions to the rank to be made during 1903-4, and six further promotions in 1904-5, a proportionate reduction being made in the establishment of Fleet and Staff Paymasters and Paymasters.

2. That Fleet and Staff Paymasters and Paymasters shall be compulsorily retired after 3 years' continuous non-service in any of those ranks, or ranks combined (including the rank of Assistant Paymaster). This rule to be applied to all Officers at present on the list of Assistant Paymasters and to all future entrants into the Accountant Branch.

The Lords Commissioners of Your Majesty's Treasury have signified their concurrence in these proposals.

N. 14449 / 1903.

^ back to top ^