by the Colonial Regulation as they stand at present. I need hardly observe that the main object of granting leave is to enable public officers to recover or maintain their mental and bodily vigour, and that the acceptance of paid employment during such leave tends to defeat that object.
This argument may apply to "sick leave" and to "vacation leave" which is granted for the purpose of relaxation from business (Col. No. 133). I am not sure that it applies ordinarily to leave granted for other purposes.
I think it is clear that such leave is granted on the understanding that it is beneficial to the officer, and that the object with which it is granted there are other objections to such a practice where, as in the case recently brought to my notice, it involves the establishment of pecuniary relations between an independent professional public officer and persons engaged in business, or influential financiers in the Colony.
I have therefore decided to issue the following Regulation: