I may point out that I was unable to leave Hongkong until the 24 June last which carried me 2 months with the summer and Should I have broken now I shall have brought on the full force of the hot weather this year. In which case I can scarcely hope to have received any permanent advantage to my health.
An additional Six months will take me to Hongkong in the hot weather I have the honour to enclose Certificate from the Medical Officer who has attended me since my arrival in the land last September and I shall be glad to submit to any medical examination that His Grace the Duke of Buckingham may think fit.
I have a wife and 5 children dependent on my exertions and I can ill afford to be on half pay, did not the state of my Health seem imperiously to demand it If I am not out of order I shall further beg to bring myself under the notice of His Grace
It is true I would take the liberty of Stating that should there occur any vacancy in the Departments under his control in Australia or New Zealand (or any Station where the climate is not so injurious as that of this is) to which constitutions like mine might be suited the duties of which it might be considered I could perform I would most gladly escape to relieve Hongkong with honour the
Your Lordship's humble servant.
Sherman G. Bird (A. J. G. Hong Kong)
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