Referring to my Despatch N
o 42, of
27th December last, I have
the honor to report that I am about to avail myself of the Leave
of Absence granted to me by Your Lordship, for the purpose of
making a short visit to
San Francisco. I shall
leave leave in Her
Majesty's Ship "
Sparrowhawk" to-day, and shall probably have
returned before Your Lordship receives this Despatch. During my
absence for these few weeks the temporary administration of the
Government will be assumed by
Mr Hankin the Colonial
Secretary and Senior Member of the Executive Council, in
accordance with the Royal Instructions.