Parkin to Secretary of State
29 Argyll Street
Regent Street W.
28 October 1858
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 andimportanceManuscript image 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 Manuscript image statement of the duties, and advantages of the proposed offices, that may be required.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully
Your most obedient & humble Servant
Wm Parkin
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
Manuscript image
VJ 9 Novr
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)
Manuscript image
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
Manuscript image
Draft, Carnarvon to Parkin, 18 November 1858, advising that it was not intended to create any new appointments in British Columbia.