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not been absent on leave for the past ten years, that it is extremely unlikely I shall be able to take leave under two years from now, if then, and that I shall look then, for such extension of my full pay leave, as will enable me to make the fullest use of the opportunities of obtaining instruction and information, that the Secretary of State desires to place at my disposal, without infringing on the complete freedom from work, that alone will enable me to derive full benefit from my holiday. I think the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon has recently had granted him such special privileges, to enable him the better to qualify for his duties.
3. With reference to the other condition imposed on my acceptance of the office of Post Master General, that I should not look for or expect any acting appointments to other offices during the next five years, may I be permitted to call special attention to the peculiar nature of this limitation, and to its probable practical results in my case.
4. I agree that it is undesirable in itself that the Post Master General should be liable to be taken away from his work, to fill up any temporary vacancy in higher offices. I think that in the interests of the Colony the Post Master General should remain in that appointment as long as possible, and