Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 6 June 1859, CO 60:4, no. 7336, 434.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Douglas reports on two days of building-lot sales, at
the new Town of Queensborough,which total
$89,000,with 310 of 318 lots sold at an average price of $290, and 110 lots
reserved for future sales.
No. 165
The sale of building Lots at the new Town of Queensborough,
took place on the 1st and 2nd of the present month at Victoria.
2. The result has proved
proved most satisfactory as a financial
operation, and indicates a general confidence in the future of the
Colony.
proved most satisfactory as a financial
operation, and indicates a general confidence in the future of the
Colony.
3. The actual amount of sales was rather over Eighty-nine
thousand dollars ($89,000)
on which a deposit of 25 per cent was made on the
purchase, the remaining balance to be paid in three equal instalments
on the first day of July, August, and September next respectively
respectively.
respectively.
4. Three hundred and eighteen lots were offered for sale, and
Three hundred and ten were sold. One hundred and Ten Lots are
reserved for future sale. The largest sum realized for a single
lot was One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars ($1925)
and the average price of the Lots sold was nearly Two Hundred and
Ninety dollars ($290).
5. The accompanying statement
statement, from the Department of Lands
and Works, is transmitted for your information. It distinguishes
the actual sums of money received and due, on the Sale from the
amounts already paid on Langley Titles, which were transferred to
Queensborough under the provisions of the Proclamation of 14th
Feby last. It is not
not impossible that this concession, led in
some manner to the high prices obtained for the Queensborough lots.
statement, from the Department of Lands
and Works, is transmitted for your information. It distinguishes
the actual sums of money received and due, on the Sale from the
amounts already paid on Langley Titles, which were transferred to
Queensborough under the provisions of the Proclamation of 14th
Feby last. It is not
not impossible that this concession, led in
some manner to the high prices obtained for the Queensborough lots.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This is a very satisfactory proof of the estimation in which this new Colony is held by persons resident in the Country—when, in a two days sale, land is sold at the proposed Capital for about £19,000.
This is a very satisfactory proof of the estimation in which this new Colony is held by persons resident in the Country—when, in a two days sale, land is sold at the proposed Capital for about £19,000.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office
to Emigration Commissioners, 10 August 1859, forwarding copy of the
despatch and enclosed statement of monies received.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Statement of account for the sale of land in Queensborough, 4 June
1859, showing amount received at $89,170.00.