4.
time of Service) but merely to show
that
had in
both
my Predecessors who with myself
common
resided the greater portion of their lives within the Tropies, found
themselves,
as
I do at the present
moment, under the absolute
necessity, owing to their state
of
health of tendering their resignation.
I confess, My Lord, that
it is
vexcation
Source of
to
Ima
considerable
to be compelled,
before the expiration of my time, to relinquish the highly honorable Post which Her Gracious Majesty
in
was
pleased,
my
November
18247, to charge. Had that Post been dependent solely
confide to
on the
Colonial Office, I would certainly
not have tendered
my
resignation
but would have, on the contrary
1
12
1
5.
249
unhesitatingly applied for leave of
absence for
a
short period, such
being in conformity with Colonial Regulations, and it would, I admit, Suit my present convenience to be permitted to absent myself from the Colony for a few months,
in
But as
arr
preference to being compelled to relinquish entirely my office. apprehensive, owing to the twofold nature of my charge, that the proposal might be thought productive of
some
embarrassment to Her Majesty's Government - I have, rather than
the risk of a fifth
incurring
Summer at Hongkong without the benefit of a temporary change,
deemed it advisable to tender
my unconditional resignation- leaving it, however, to Your