No. 4

I have had the honor to receive your Despatch No. 90 of the 23rd
of October, accompanied by an application from Mr. Henry Wakeford for
an addition of six months to his leave of absence from Western
Australia. Governor Hampton gave Mr. Wakeford 12 months leave
commencing from the 14th of December 1863 to go to Vancouver Island,
with a proviso that he should cease to draw half pay from Western
Australia on getting "any fresh appointment under Her Majesty's
Government."

Mr. Wakeford did obtain an appointment from you, but it was an
acting one, and as I ascertained in this Country that the Officer for
whom he acted would go back to relieve him, and as he was only
receiving half Salary for this temporary Office, I came to the
conclusion, announced to you in my Despatch of the 1st of August
last, that this was not a case for his relinquishing the half
Salary of his Office in Western Australia.

The point now to be decided is the addition to his leave of
absence. The Colonial Regulations reserve to the Secretary of State
the decision of questions of extending leave. Now if Mr. Wakeford
had come to this Country, there is no doubt that adverting to his
continued service in Western Australia without any previous absence,
and to the good character he bears, I should readily have granted him
leave for an additional six months, and therefore I see no reason for
refusing him the like indulgence when he has proceeded to Vancouver
Island instead of to England. I request therefore that you will
convey to Mr. Wakeford my sanction for his prolonging his absence
from Western Australia for six months. You will be at liberty to
communicate to him a copy of this Despatch.