The course is to furnish a custom self-acting check against Officials trying unduly to prolong their absence. But the Attorney General of Hong Kong enjoys a very large practice whilst on the spot, and is doubtless seeking to make his fortune, and his unwilling absence therefore entails upon him at all events a very heavy sacrifice indeed. When the cost of his passage to and fro, and of living in England without gaining anything, is also considered, it does seem hard in such a case to mulet him of his half salary. I should therefore decidedly recommend that Sir W Pauncefote's present appeal to further consideration be favourably received, and that he be permitted to draw his half salary for the term of the additional leave which has been granted him by the Duke. We need not aggravate a misfortune by a penalty.
5 June. Under what regulation will it fall? I think that to allow an extension with half pay will fall quite within the scope of the Regulations. Sir W. Pauncefote's is not ordinary leave, for under ordinary circumstances he would be entitled to move.