Hongkong.
In reply to the last par. of your letter I am to inform you that his Excellency has again carefully considered the matter and regrets not to be able to take the same view as you have taken, being guided by the line of interpretation laid down in Sir B. Moore's despatch of the 17th ultimo.
It does not appear to him more anomalous to charge a Government servant with interest on leave of absence, than it is to pay the Governor full or half salary during the period when he is not performing any duty; during vacation period he was drawing full salary proper but full emoluments, all, & during the half pay, drawing half salary but... all.
On leave he was in the same position as during the period of leave when he is not performing any duty; the temporary administrator would feel that he had ground of complaint if he were charged this full percentage when only drawing part of the Governor's Emoluments.
I am to add that the hardship thinks it consistent with the Rule being fairly interpreted... his Excellency said that his interpretation of the Rule is being made the subject of an application to you after you had left the...