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of the Governor for granting leave of absence to 12 months; but I opine that each case must stand on its own merits, and that exceptions may be necessary from prime causes. Since February 1845 I have been absent from the Colony in all 12 days, and during that time I have suffered much from illness, although not often absent from Office on account of my duties, of late, my illness has been serious, and affected not alone the body, but in consequence of general debility, my mind has been much puny, weakened, and often for days together I have been utterly incapable of attending to work, whilst at other times I am but little, as His Excellency is well aware.
However, if His Excellency does not feel authorized to grant me at once leave of absence for the term asked for, I hope he will have the goodness to recommend to the Right Honorable The Secretary of State for the Colonies that the 18 Months may be granted to Me by his authority!
With your verbal sanction kindly given me some time ago, I would take the liberty of proposing for the performance of my duties, the following arrangement, the only satisfactory one I am able to recommend after long mature consideration, viz., that the Office be put into commission, consisting of yourself as Resident Superintendent, Mr. J. Hyndman, the present Acting Chief Clerk in the Revenue, and Mr. Hughes Reinhard, the Clerk in the Audit Office.