My leave was originally applied for and granted and still held good, but the Brigadier-General, on the 22nd October, suddenly revoked it in defiance of Regulations and Circulars.
The contrary decision was made that His Excellency would grant only 3 months' furlough leave and 3 months' leave on half pay, despite my lengthy service and precedent, and this was done with the sole object of causing further annoyance and humiliation.
I had applied again for leave at the beginning of the year and which had been granted, and I was entitled to proceed on leave. Whether this was done with ignorance or inexperience, it was inexcusable.
Having regard to their exceptional and unprecedented treatment that I have received, I have ventured most respectfully to request that you will be so good as to allow my leave to count from the date on which I left Hong Kong, viz., the 24th September, having been previously arbitrarily, unjustifiably, high-handedly, and without cause or further inducement, removed from office, except for standing up for myself in my reply.
At the time I was about to leave the Island, and no earlier opportunity presented itself to depart after being engaged upon public duty, the sudden renewal of my leave was tantamount to irregular and arbitrary suspension from office, inflicted upon me without any offence whatsoever on my part, except my endeavour to prevent my expiring leave from being scandalously deferred.
I submit most respectfully that it was with the sanction of His Excellency the Governor that it was deferred, and I have been subjected to scandalous treatment.