Land Board
Misce
Sir,
I have the honor respectfully to submit for the approval of His Lordship, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, my application for an extension of leave from the 1st instant - the date of expiration of that already kindly granted - to the date I shall be falling into consideration for further service. In consideration of my 12 years and 3 months service, during which period I have been absent from duty but six weeks from sickness, leave, or otherwise, I trust His Lordship will view this as a special case on my part, and be pleased to confer the desired indulgence.
The leave granted by His Excellency the Late Governor of Hongkong on the 11th June 1870 was for twelve months – four of which was "vacation leave", as shown by the Certificate that I had on my arrival in England.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your most humble & obedient Servant,
McHardy
First Clerk, Harbour Master's Department, Hongkong
February 15, 1872