Colonial Despatches

I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st Ultimo, transmitting copies of two Despatches from the Governor of British Columbia calling attention to the urgent necessity for the erectionerection of Lighthouses in Fucas Straits, and the approaches to the Harbour of Esquimalt, and stating that as the Colonial Office cannot apply to Parliament for a grant of money for these necessary public works and as the Colony has not at present the means of paying for them, Sir E.B. Lytton is desirous of being informed whether My Lords cannot include the required Lighthouses within "the class of Imperial Lights," and give the Colony somesome assistance towards their erection out of the funds placed at their disposal for such services.

In reply My Lords direct me to state that, whilst there can be no doubt of the importance of the proposed Lights, they are required for the Trade of the Colony, and not, as in the case of the Lights in the Bahamas and elsewhere, for the Trade which merely passes the Colony.

Under these circumstances they are Lights which should, My LordsLords think, if practicable, be erected and maintained by and at the cost of the Colony rather than the Home Government.

But even if the Lights in question could be said to belong to the class of Imperial Lights, i.e. of Lights which the Home Government is bound to erect or maintain for the purposes of the general passing Trade, their Lordships could still have no funds at their disposal out of which to erect or maintain them.

The only funds out of which My Lords can pay the expenses of Colonial Lights are first, sums raised by levying Tolls under the Act 18 & 19 Vict: c. 91, and secondly, sums voted by Parliament.

The present case does not appear to be one in which it is desirable to levy Tolls under the Act in question, since the only Trade which would pay the Tolls is the Trade of the Colony and the Colony can itself, if so disposed, levy Tolls on account of the Lights in itsin its own Ports.

And as regards monies voted by Parliament it is to be observed that the only votes are votes taken by the Treasury on the responsibility of this Department for the services of special Lighthouses mentioned in the votes.

If, notwithstanding the fact that these Lights cannot be classed as Imperial Lights, the circumstances of the Colony of British Columbia are such as to make it proper that these Lights should be erected withwith Imperial instead of Colonial Funds, those circumstances are matters within the cognizance of the Colonial Office rather than of this Department; and if it is thought right that a vote for the purpose should be taken by the Treasury, the vote should My Lords think be taken on the responsibility of the Colonial Office, and the application to the Treasury for the purpose should be made by that Office.

If it should be decided to taketo take a vote for the purpose My Lords will be glad to give their best advice and assistance in the matter.

At the same time they could not without obtaining further local information state with accuracy and certainty what the expense to be incurred in the Colony in erecting these Lights will be.

A copy of a further memorandum by Captain Sulivan, R.N. on the character and probable costcost of these Lights is enclosed for Sir E.B. Lytton's information.