Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to transmit to you for your information and guidance the accompanying copies of a correspondence with the War Department which has resulted in the adoption of measures for dispensing with the further services of the Detachment of Royal Engineers employed in British Columbia.

The receipt since thecorrespondence correspondence was closed of your despatch No. 24 of the 22nd of April has confirmed the expediency of the decision.

As the Royal Engineers are to be withdrawn or discharged I have not thought it necessary to request Colonel Moody to continue his services as Commissioner of Crown Lands. His appointment to that Office was not conferred upon him as a permanent one, and on the removal of the Troops who went out under his command, I consider it best to relieve him from his Civil Office to which I shall before long name a successor. Enclosed is acopy copy of a letter in which I have announced to Colonel Moody his relief from his Civil Appointment.

I trust that you may not be exposed to inconvenience by a difficulty of finding suitable persons on the spot to fulfil the surveying and Engineering duties which have been performed by the Royal Engineers, and I shall be glad to receive an early report from you on the manner in which you propose to supply their place, as well as on the question whether you would wish to have any persons sent out from England for someof of the required services.