Pemberton to Newcastle

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 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 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.