205
my
if I propose returning when your Exallency may think fit to suggest, or He is Grace The Secretary of State may decide to be...
absence now and at once,
Necessary.
Were I to omit the present. opportunity (for such I consider it) I might
break down in health at the
very
time.
desired to avail -
when your yourself of a
Excellency
journey
home or elsewhere;
and to leave as
recently.
the administration
in this.
of this Government to myself.
I have passed three
my
three full Summer.
third period of residence in -- Hongkong, and have never really recovered from
us
an attack of fever in October last, may be gathered from the Enclosed certificate
by the Colonial Surgeon
If I thought that this application would Embarass your Excellency, or that
any postponement of it would be for the- greater good of the Public Service, I had not made it now, but it seems on all grounds the most convenient that presents itself, and I feel sure that The Secretary- of State will not consider it a favor too-
Extravagant to be asked by, and granted to,
し
a Public Officer of my long service and
... Standing in Hongkong..
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's
Most Obedient humble Servant
Colonial Secretary.