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for leave of absence, I was informed that his total service extended over a period of nearly ten years; and though he had not served six continuous years since he was last on leave, the Executive Council considering him a meritorious officer; that he was compelled on this occasion to take leave on account of ill-health.
The Council recommended that the Colonial Regulations regarding passage allowances should be liberally construed in his favour, and that the total number of passages he had served gave him an equitable claim to passage allowances, and accordingly a passage allowance was granted to him.
3. I agree with the Executive Council and with the Colonial Legislature that, in the exhausting climate of Hong Kong, it is absolutely necessary for the bodily and mental vigour of the officers of Government, and consequently for the efficiency of the Public Service, that facilities should be granted for leave of absence when recommended by medical authority.