I trust therefore that your Lordships will sanction any postponement of my return till the departure of the first mail steamer in the middle of October, or shortly thereafter. I hope I shall be pardoned if I take this opportunity of mentioning that being now in my sixteenth year of Service in Hongkong, I desire to request consideration of transfer to office in a cooler climate, or at home.
In this Country, employment is obtainable. I am extremely willing to serve longer in the Colony with which I have been connected, and of which I am conversant with the position and requirements. I should also regret separation from a Governmental body and Social community so familiar to me; but considerations of health, and these alone, induce me to prefer my present request, which, I may remark, was made about two years ago, though in a form not directly official.
I shall be glad if it be in Your Lordship's power to entertain this request. I may be allowed to point to various public Despatches in which my Services have from time to time been approved, and such qualifications set forth. Several Governors of the Colony have considered me to possess the necessary qualities; and I confidently refer Your Lordship for further information to Sir John Davis and Sir George Bonham, under both of whom I have served for years, and who are now within ready reach for Communications.
It being impossible for Your Lordship to comply with my written request, I have only to repeat my application for Extended leave of absence as above, and to thank Your Lordships for the personal Courtesy shown in the Interview with which I was favored by Your Lordship this morning.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,
Montgomerie,
Colonial Secretary of the Settlement and
Member of the Legislative Council of Hongkong.