33
be returned by the A.D.C. on the General's Staff
and as during the term of administration the General
neither receives nor pays visits as General Officer,
exactly the same number of visits are returned by his
A.D. C. and no more than when the Governor is in the
Colony. But had either the General or his A.D.C.
made any objection I could have arranged with one of
my extra A.D.Cs to do whatever was necessary.
3.
But outside the claim of the General that du-
ring the leave of the Governor all staff appointments
of his
theppay
full should lapse & the salary be added to the,
staff, 1
aff, I think the position of the gentlemen who
13 accept positions upon a Governor's staff were worthy
of consideration, An Officer on full pay is seconded
& ceases to draw pay from the Army. Surely it cannot
be fairly contended that during his staff appointment
he is to have no leave. This would place him in a
different position from that of every other servant
of the Crown, and if he is to have any leave, a matter
in this trying climate of absolute necessity, no time
can be more suitable than during the absence of the
Governor if his duty can be arranged for.
4.
But in this particular instance although I was
on full pay leave, I was incidentally engaged on business
of great importance to the Colony & in which I
required the assistance of one of my staff in Peking:
not alone at Peking, but at other ports in China
where official civilities were offered to me & where
with every desire for freedom from Official exigencies
no Governor of Hongkong can escape from his position
the presence of a member of my staff was very
desirable, as anybody acquainted with China and
its