"Indirectly, His Excellency remarks, it operates with equal, if not greater mischief; for it tempts Civil Servants to hoard for future use the leave given them for the purpose of recruiting their strength and health, so as better to discharge their duties in the Colony.
It thus injures them, and impairs the Public Service.
His Excellency adds, that for all these reasons, he stated in England just before his last departure for China, that he would bring the matter once more before Her Majesty's Government, with a view to keeping the rules unchanged, and that he would not Consent to the proposal of mixing Vacation with half pay Leave during his administration, unless expressly instructed to do so. His Excellency further states, that, if it be thought that in terminating such an abuse of the object of Vacation Leave, the privileges of Civil Officers are thereby curtailed, it will be easy for Her Majesty's Government to give a more suitable equivalent in the shape of longer Salary in the Colony, or to grant 4 months' or other leave on half pay, or otherwise, as may be determined hereafter.
Minute by His Excellency...
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