Reply was more favourable even, I thought, than I hoped for.
The objection I have to Mr. Wagner's applying for a port clearance, that tax refunds have been made, is based on the ruling of the Jenri. It must be gathered that this Executive Council at one time put the same construction upon these words that I do when interpreting them to signify that I have had leave. It is apparent when it is borne in mind that I had intended to resign the Colonial Service, there would have been necessity for furnishing His Excellency with such queries as I did in alluding to the application here. Entirely on the assumption, I sent the application which finally resulted in a telegram from Singapore, dated 22 December 1880 (Annex. 8), upon receipt of which I made hasty preparations to proceed to Larut.
I never at any time had tangible grounds for supposing that I was to be ejected from the Colonial Service. On the suggestion whether I liked it or not, and at once, a telegram from Singapore of your Lordship's leave to Perak, I sent in an application for such leave of absence (P. 347, hman) as would harmonize with the Ruler of the State to which His Excellency the Governor of Straits had been pleased to refer.
Of the minutes thereon, I have not, unfortunately, copies, but His Excellency enquired whether I had accepted service in Perak and stated that he observed H. Deane had not recommended my application, probably because I was...