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The state of Mr. Riennecker's health renders it imperatively necessary that he should quit Hongkong, without delay, and as I believe the proposition he has made for the conduct of his duties is the most suitable under the circumstances, I have arranged that the Treasury be put in commission, under Mr. Mercer as President, and Messrs. Hyndman and Reinhard as Members.
Mr. Riennecker's half Salary will be equally divided between Mr. Hyndman and Mr. Reinhard.
I am not aware of any objection to the concluding request of Mr. Rienecker, and have therefore agreed that under the security given his half Salary shall be paid here during his absence.
Mr. Rienecker is anxious that I should recommend him for 18 Months' leave, but clause 4 of Chapter 4 of the Colonial Regulations seems to forbid this. While on this subject, I would remark that the Colonial Secretary suggested on this occasion in the Executive Council, that there was some misapprehension as to the tenor of despatch No. 138 of 3rd December 1853, from the Duke of Newcastle.
It appears that Sir George Bonham, in his Despatch No. 15 of 18th February