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that my stay in England should be prolonged, to enable me to make proper provision for her four orphan girls, varying in age from four to twelve years, and, also, that the health of my Father and Mother (aged respectively 85 and 78 years) is such that the death of either of them is likely to happen at any time, in which case, their only surviving son might be compelled to return to England
As by the Colonial Regulations (duplicate Certificate forwarded on the 21st of March last) I am entitled to twenty months' leave with half Salary, if the urgency of my private affairs will, in the opinion of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, justify absenting myself for that length of time, I have the honour most respectfully to beg the Earl of Kimberley's consideration of this my application for an extended period of five months' leave with half Salary, for the reasons above-stated
I have the honour to be
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