Straits Settlements Government should consider it an honour that one of their officers had been selected for a special mission...
Secondly, there is the more recent case of Sir Wm Jervois who lately proceeded to the Australian Colonies to report on their works of defence, and who during his absence from Singapore will draw his half pay, irrespective of whatever remuneration he may receive from the Australian Governments.
These two cases came under my own observation but I have heard of others which are probably well-known at the Colonial Office, notably that of Mr. Rushworth, Colonial Secretary for Jamaica who was sent to Demerara as acting Governor for 9 months or so and drew his half salary from Jamaica as Colonial Secretary.
I would therefore beg that His Excellency, if he be still of opinion that there is no precedent on which to grant my application, would be good enough to refer to His Lordship the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have to...
(signed) G.B. Plunket, Registrar.
(Confidential)
The Colonial Secretary.