Referring to my Despatch N 42, of 
27 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 
M Hankin the Colonial
               Secretary and Senior Member of the Executive Council, in
               accordance with the Royal Instructions.