CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 238

!

;

COPY.

sir,

ENCLOSURE

URE 5.

RECR

0.0.

1349

231

&

Reet 17 JAN 19

Hong-Kong, 7th.December, 1898.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt

of your letter of the 5th.inst.and to express my deep regret

that on the 2nd, instant I was absent from duty without leave

and unable to perform my duties by reason of alcoholism,

2. Since my return on the 15th.of August I have

suffered in health considerably, so much so that when the Prin-

cipal Civil Medical Officer returned to the Colony I approach-

ed him with a view to obtaining a Medical Board on the grounds

of ill health.

3. It is a source of deep grier to me that at

times I am subject to severe fits of depression. In connection

with my work I am inordinately excited over trifling matters

and the worry and anxiety of my office have induced a severe

nervous strain which has enforced me to have recourse to sti-

mulants so as to be able to carry on my work.

4. I may add that I have only deferred giving

effect to the wish expressed to the head of my Department from

the fact that some time was necessary for making arrangements

The Hon. T.Sercombe Smith,

for

Acting Colonial Secretary.