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to fill, I applied to His Excellency the Governor for permission to enjoy, in private practice under
any
ous or
regulations
restrictions which
might be deemed
necessary
to
ensure the
due
discharge
of my public
and
official duties.
His Excellency with kind attention, and I ventured to hope that it would be acceded to, but on the 26th inst. I received from the Colonial Secretary a communication of which the following is a copy.
20.469.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hong Kong 28th May 1880
I am directed to inform you that a despatch has been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies sanctioning your private practice of your profession, with the deduction of your official salary £500.
His Excellency adds that should your private practice be found to interfere with your public duties the restriction will be again imposed.
His Excellency the Governor desires to ask if you accept or prefer the existing arrangement under which you hold your appointment; if you do, you will have the goodness to state at what date you propose to enter into private practice, and you will understand that from that date the reduction of Salary will have effect.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) W. J. Mercer
Colonial Secretary,
To this I forwarded on the 28th day of May the subjoined reply,
and in accordance therewith I now venture to trouble your Grace with these observations.
2019.
Victoria Hong Kong
28th May 1860
& have the honour to acknowledg
Accept of