With respect to his desire for a pension I must reserve at present any observation.
On enquiry at the India Office I find that they would prefer having the subject of pensions brought under their consideration as a matter of course & not in connection with any application. I propose to refer the matter to Lord Stanley.
Letter from Gold, Oxford & Cambridge, dated, Downing Street, 3rd June 1888.
I have the honour to submit a draft letter to Lord Stanley.
In the meantime Mr. Mercer has been asked to state that he has little hope of transfer to another colony.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hong Kong, 13 May 1859.
After much consideration, I am persuaded that I am justified in placing before you my request for extended leave. Last year, when on leave of absence, I took the occasion to ask for employment elsewhere than in Hong Kong on the ground of length of service and the unhealthy climate.
The Earl of Carnarvon's reply notifying the grant of extended leave concluded thus: "Your application to be transferred to a less trying climate than that of Hong Kong will be considered by Lord Stanley."
The result of the promised consideration not having been communicated to me by the end of last September, I was obliged to leave England and resume my duties here, which I did willingly as it was told by Mr. Merciale that the position of affairs in Hong Kong required my presence.
The Right Honourable Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart, M.P., Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.
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