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and is the only official who is sufficiently experienced to look after the work in my absence.
3. But His Excellency the Governor thinks that Mr. Plummer, who was appointed in 1891, is the proper person to act for me, although I declare him to be unfitted for such duty.
4. Mr Plummer's work is referred to in my Annual Reports for 1891 para 17, and for 1892 para 19 and para 20.
5. There exists no rule in the Colonial Service according to which when an officer is absent on leave, the officer next to him in point of salary must act for him.
6. I have now been serving in Hong Kong without intermission over ten years and would venture to most respectfully submit that Your Lordship be pleased to grant me leave to recommend to His Excellency, the officer to act for me whenever necessary as I would thereby be enabled at some future time to take the vacation leave and leave of absence, which I have earned.
I have the honour to be My Lord Marquess, Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant
J. Dobson Director