In this case the unofficial Members of the Legislative Council protested against the payment of the half salary to Sir William Hackitt but upon the point being referred to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. His Lordship was pleased to observe that he could not entertain the protest as the principle had to be admitted that officers absent on occasions be employed on special duty
away from their being paid a portion of their own salary Lord Carnarvon further observed in the case in question than the Straits Government should
honour that one of the officers had been selected for a special mission. Secondly, there is the more recent case of
Sir William 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
he may receive from the Australian Government. These two cases came under
our observation and I have heard of others. Notably that of Mr. Rushworth Colonial Secretary for Jamaica who, when sent to Demerara as acting Governor for 9 months or so 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 form my application, would be good enough to refer to His Lordship the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have the honour to be
Your most obedient servant
A. D. C. B. Plunket.
Registrar