115. Short periods of absence from duty owing to 
sickness are allowed on full pay, in accordance with 
the local rules of each Colony, without affecting 
vacation leave. 
116. Subject to the necessities of the Service, leave 
of absence on half pay may be granted without any 
special grounds after three years’ resident service from 
first appointment in the Colony. It may be given 
after a less duration of service in cases of serious in- 
disposition, or of urgent private affairs, if the Governor 
is satisfied that the indulgence is indispensable. In 
cases of serious indisposition the state of the officer’s 
health must be certified by his medical attendant or, 
if required by the Governor, by a medical board. In 
cases of urgent private affairs the nature of such urgent 
affairs must be stated confidentially to the Governor. 
In Ceylon, however, four years’ resident service are 
required to qualify an officer for half-pay leave. 
In Hong Kong, ordinarily half-pay leave is only 
granted after four and a-half vears’ resident service. 
117. In the absence of special grounds, half-pay 
leave must not exceed one-sixth of the officer’s resi- 
dent service in the Colony. On special grounds it 
may exceed that period by six months.* 
In the Straits Settlements, in special cases such as 
ill-health, urgent private affairs, or long residence in 
the tropics, half-pay leave may be allowed at the rate 
of one month in respect of each year of resident ser- 
vice, with an addition of six months. 
In British Guiana, Jamaica, and Trinidad the period 
of half-pay leave and vacation leave combined must 
Dot exceed six months at a time, except in special 
circumstances. Officers who have been continuously 
in the Colony for five years or more without leave 
may receive an additional two months on half pay. 
* See also Regulation 112 as to commutation of half-pay 
leave for full-pav leave.