2nd.-- That Mr William James Drakes has been in the Service of the Colony for 7 years, and 9 months namely: from the 9th August 1870, to 9th May 1878.
3rd. That in the course of that Service he has been absent on leave on several occasions, at the dates and for the terms specified below, viz. :--
1st.--For ... Months beginning on... and ending on.
2nd.---
3rd.
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4th. That provision has been made for the due execution of the Office during his absence by...
30th April, 1875.
Mr M.J. Dukes has been suffering for ... months from serious affections of the lungs, and is now much prostrated as to prevent him from attending to his duties. As there is but little chance of his recovery in this climate, I am of the opinion that he should proceed to Europe as soon as possible, and to be absent from the Colony for not less than six months.
1. Total Service, from date of arrival in the Colony to date of Certificate... 7 years 9 months.
2. Deduct total Absences since arrival (other than Vacation leave), whether with or without Half Salary.
3. Period of Resident Service.
4. Maximum amount of Leave authorized by Regulations in respect of the above period of Resident Service (viz., 1/6 of Resident Service + Six Months).
5. Leave on Half Salary already taken, since first arrival in the Colony.
6. Leave now granted.
N.B.-Leave of Absence beyond 1-6th of Resident Service will not be granted by the Secretary of State except on Medical Certificate from the Medical Officer employed by the Colonial Office, or on urgent private affairs, the nature of which must be stated and must be satisfactory to the Secretary of State.
(Signed) R.A. O'Brien, M.R.C.S.
Colonial Surgeon's Office, 30th April, 1873.
I beg to forward for the information of His Excellency the Governor a Medical Certificate from Mr. M.J. Dukes, who was yesterday examined by Dr. O'Brien, the Medical Attendant of Mr. W.J. Dukes in the Surveyor General's Department. I beg to state that I entirely concur in Dr. O'Brien's opinion, as expressed in the Certificate.
The Honorable B.G. Smith.
(Signed) G. Dods, Acting Colonial Surgeon.
(Signed) B.G. Smith, Acting Colonial Secretary.
(True Copy)