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.