Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Peel, Frederick to Rogers, Frederic 11 July 1864, CO 60:20, no. 6455, 224.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (2).
Peel forwards the auditor’s report regarding road expenditures in British Columbia. He also transmits a
statement of payments not providedby BC after they spent in
excess over the original estimatesof 1862. The Colonial Office minutes their discussion on colonial expenses with Elliot expressing his belief that Seymour will
put [BC] accounts on a sound footing.This document includes the statement of expenditures and correspondence with the Treasury.
Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
11th July 1864
Sir,
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to transmit to you herewith, for the information of
Mr Secretary Cardwell, a copy of a Report, No 217, from
the Commissioners of Audit dated 23rd Ultimo, with copy
of the reply which My Lords have addressed to the Commissioners
relating to expenditure on Roads in British Columbia, andto
to
the money borrowed by Debentures and Road Bonds to cover that
expenditure during the year 1862.
to
the money borrowed by Debentures and Road Bonds to cover that
expenditure during the year 1862.
I am, at the same time, to transmit to you the enclosed
statement of payments not provided for in the estimates for
the year, and to request that you will move Mr Secretary
Cardwell to inform My Lords whether he sees any objection to
the admission of the charges enumerated in that statement;My
My Lords would suggest that the Governor of British Columbia
should be instructed to prepare at the end of each year,
Supplementary Estimates of all expenditure not covered by
the original Estimate of the year, and to submit the same,
as soon as convenient at the commencement of the following
year, to the Legislative Council with an Ordinance to
authorize the appropriation of the amount requiredto
to cover
the excess over the original estimates.
My Lords would suggest that the Governor of British Columbia
should be instructed to prepare at the end of each year,
Supplementary Estimates of all expenditure not covered by
the original Estimate of the year, and to submit the same,
as soon as convenient at the commencement of the following
year, to the Legislative Council with an Ordinance to
authorize the appropriation of the amount requiredto
to cover
the excess over the original estimates.
Minutes by CO staff
2. With regard to allowing the charges enumerated in
the statement I think that though they may ultimately
be sanctioned it wd only be right, since they amount
to a total of £3653, that an explanation shd be
requested from the Governor. The explanation will probably
be sufficient, but nevertheless it wd, I think, be
well to let the local Authorities feel that excesses of
expenditure do not pass at home as a matter of course.
The supplementary Estimate, suggested by the T-y
seems to me a very proper proceeding. In Ceylon an
Estimate of this sort is if I remember right always
prepared & sent home for approval.
ABd
16 July
We have reason to believe that Governor Seymour is
going to look closely into the state of the public
service in British Columbia, and we may hope that he will
put his accounts on a sound footing.
In the meantime, seeing the great inconvenience which
follows from keeping public accounts indefinitely open
and looking at the analysis, which Mr Ebden has
furnished of the items composing the excess of expenditure,
I would recommend in this case that we furnish the
Treasury with the Secretary of State's opinion that the
charges may be admitted. It is evident on the face of
them that they are charges of a public nature. The
Auditors cannot pass any excess of expenditure without
authority from the Treasury, and the Treasury cannot
give it without an opinion from hence, but they are
always perfectly willing to receive and act upon such
an opinion. I should transmit the papers to the Governor:
I should say that Mr Cardwell feels confidence in his
using his best endeavours to bring the accounts of
the Colony into a satisfactory condition: with regard
to supplementary Estimates, I should repeat in the body of
the despatch the substance of the instructions required by the Treasury.
TFE
18 July
Mr Ebden
Prepare draft to Govr & Treasury, modified as I have explained to you that Mr Cardwell has directed.
Prepare draft to Govr & Treasury, modified as I have explained to you that Mr Cardwell has directed.
TFE
19 July
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Statement of excess of expenditures over the
estimates for 1862, British Columbia (rough calculations).
Edward Romilly and R. Vaughan Davis, Audit Office,
to Treasury, 23 June 1864, reporting on the state of the British
Columbia accounts for 1862, with enclosed statement.
Peel to Commissioners of Audit, 9 July 1864, advising that the
British Columbia Loan Act 1862, had been confirmed.
"Statement of payments claimed on the accounts for 1862,
that are not provided for in Estimates, or are in excess of the sums
voted in the Estimates," 23 June 1864, submitted with the report of
the Commissioners of Audit.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 22 July 1864, advising that
copy of his letter providing procedural instructions with regard to
submission of estimates would be forwarded to the governor.