Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Parkin, W. to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 28 October 1858, CO 60:3, no. 11483, 524.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Parkin offers advice on land title registration in British Columbia and requests an appointment to the colony.
The minutes regret that Lytton
does not intend at present to create any fresh appointments for British Columbia.
Enclosed is a letter of recommendation from G. A. Hamilton of the Emigration Board testifying to Parkin’s efficiency and conduct; and a draft reply from Carnarvon to Parkin advising that it was not intended to create any new appointments in British Columbia.
Parkin to Secretary of State
29 Argyll Street
Regent Street W.
28 October 1858
Regent Street W.
Sir,
Her Majesty's Government having appointed a Chief Commissioner of
Lands in Columbia, with a Staff to settle and adjust boundaries &c,
permit me respectfully to submit to your consideration the
importance of adopting concurrently therewith, a system of
registering the title to Lands, so as to obviate the difficulties
with which Estates in this Country are encompassed.
It is now an admitted axiom, that a Registration of Assurances
would give increased security and simplicity to titles to land, and
remedy the evils which call for a protection against the
suppression of documentary evidence of title. Such a system exists
in America; and the value andimportance
importance of deviating the
difficulties, incident to a more advanced state of Society, by at
once according to this view, and adjoining country like advantages,
will be apparent.
importance of deviating the
difficulties, incident to a more advanced state of Society, by at
once according to this view, and adjoining country like advantages,
will be apparent.
Not necessarily to burthen an infant Colony, it is submitted that
the duties of Crown, or Legislative Council Solicitor, and
Registrar of Deeds, could be united in one Individual, and I beg
respectfully to solicit and tender my Services for such appointment.
Twenty five years experience in country, London, and parliamentary
practice, during which I have been engaged professionally in
carrying out large public Undertakings, will fit me, I trust, by
knowledge and experience, to aid in, and advise on every measure
needful to the development, and security of the resources, and
rights, of a newly founded Colony.
Prepared to furnish any testimonials of fitness for, or a 
statement
of the duties, and advantages of the proposed offices, that may be
required.
statement
of the duties, and advantages of the proposed offices, that may be
required.
P.S. Permit me to enclose a testimonial from Mr G.A. Hamilton on
submitting to him this application: and if it should be thought
desirable to put myself at once in communication with Col. Moody to
concert a combined System for the preservation and recording of
Surveys of land, and the registration of ownerships I shall be
happy to do, without reference to any ulterior appointment.
Minutes by CO staff
Acke but state that Sir E.B. Lytton does not intend at present to
create any fresh appointments for British Columbia and is unable to
accept his services in the proposed situation.
TFE
9 Novr
Annex draft. (Does not Capt Gossett take out with him all the
appliances for the establishment of a registration office?)
C
Nov 10
Yes, the necessary articles will be sent out to him.
VJ
13
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Letter of recommendation from G.A. Hamilton, Emigration Board, 28 October 1858, testifying to Parkin's efficiency and conduct.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Carnarvon to Parkin, 18 November 1858, advising that it was
not intended to create any new appointments in British Columbia.