" from Hongkong Khan six weeks during : "the present or any future year, I " shall readily approve of the extension "of your vacation & two months":"_
I now have the honor to enclose a Medical Certificate that a sojourn of at least two months in Japan is necessary for my health.
2. In pursuance of your Lordship's kind permission, I propose to take a vacation leave of two months to Japan from about the 1st of August next, if all is then quiet in this Colony. But I need scarcely repeat what
I have already written elsewhere to the effect that nothing will induce me to leave my post at all, if the state of public business should require my presence at Hongkong.
3. During my absence the Government will be again administered by the Colonial Secretary (Mr Marsh), who will return to Hongkong in August, or, failing him, by the Senior Military Officer, in accordance with the new recently issued Instructions.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most Obedient
Humble Servant
57 Bowen
P.S.