Land 1
Mis
me 17 days That absence from the Colony gave only in London. The voyage was undertaken solely
Consequence of the severest of domestic calamities.
I had not during four previous vacations, availed myself of the legal holidays of about 2 months when the Court is
closed. I frequently sat at Chambers. I left the Colony for only
about a week at a time and never went further than Canton : According to
me regulation Vacation leave for 4 months on full pay was in 1869 grantable such leave has been granted in several
Cases.
The Governor then declined to grant such leave to me and the period is now counted against me. I venture to hope that although
[illegible character]
right to charge the 14 days against me the 4 months might reasonably
be allowed to me, which would now give me
leave of absence for 10 months instead of the 6 months to which my absence is now limited, that is to say that my leave might be extended from the 10th of July to the 10th of November next.
My general health is good: but I feel from
Frequent Head Aches that the additional rest which I ask is desirable if not
absolutely necessary to insure
my capacity satisfactorily to discharge
the onerous duties of my
I have the honor to be
My Lord
Office
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant
John Smale
Chief Justice of Hong Kong.