London
Victoria Hotel
Euston Square N.W.
26 October 1863
My Lord Duke,
I had the honor, in my letter of the
25 of July last, to make
application to your Grace for a short extension of Leave of absence,
from
Vancouver Island Colony, and Your Grace was pleased by letter of
1st August to extend that leave, 3 months.
I now beg very respectfully to represent to Your Grace, that
notwithstanding every exertion made, arrangements connected with the
machinery and forwarding of mechanics are not yet completed,
and to
suggest to and to
suggest to Your Grace, that a further short extension of that leave,
say in all not exceeding twelve months, may be conducive to the
interests of the Public Service. Provided I make it my business to
arrive in the Colony in advance of the Machinery and the Mechanics
which I shall of course make a point of.
In confirmation of this view, I would remind Your Grace, that Public
Works are in the Colony, from motives & economy, during the winter
months very generally suspended, and are recommmenced about the
middle or end of February, when the days begin to lengthen and the
weather to take up.
I beg in conclusion to state
I beg in conclusion to state to your Grace, that no exertion on my
part will be wanting to bring the business on which I am deputed, to
a rapid and satisfactory issue.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
The Governor granted 6 months leave of absence to
Mr Pemberton—on
full salary—he paying his travelling expenses to & fro', though the
business on which he had come home was of a public character.
The C.O. sanctioned an extension of the leave for 3 months on 1/2
salary.
Mr Pemberton now wants 3 more months: saying that his business has
not been concluded.
Assuming that
Mr Pemberton's statement is to be depended upon comply
with his request—informing him that the Governor has been told that
he cannot draw full salary for longer than 6 months of his leave &
that he must be in the Colony without fail within the expiration of
12 months from his time of departure?
Send the Governor copy of the correspondence for his infn.
Duke of Newcastle
I confess I feel much doubt about giving this leave: and I
shd be
inclined to ask the Agents General whether they will have any
difficulty in concluding the transaction & sending out the machinery
[without]
Mr P's assistance.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Agents General,
31 October 1863, asking whether they
felt they could complete
Pemberton's business without his assistance.