No. 22
16th March 1865
Sir,
I had the honor to state in my despatch No. 1 of 18th January, that I had, with the advice of the Legislative Council, given leave of Absence to Mr John Cooper, Chief Clerk in the Treasury to proceed to England.
2. Mr CooperManuscript image
2. Mr Cooper had for some time previous to his departure acted as Treasurer of the Royal Columbian Hospital, an Institution supported by private subscription and an Annual Grant from the Treasury.
3. I have the honor to submit paper which will shew that Mr Cooper did not, previous to leaving the Colony, deliver over any vouchers or accounts, and that there would appear to be asumManuscript image sum of six hundred and eighty seven dollars ($687 00/100) unaccounted for.
4. I would venture to suggest that Mr Cooper, now in England, be called upon for an explanation and that until it be furnished, the Agents General should withhold his Salary.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
Call upon Mr Cooper for an explanation? & in the meanwhile instruct the Crown Agents to make no more payments of 1/2 salary to Mr Cooper until further orders from Mr Cardwell.
ABd 30 May
Drafts.
TFE 30/5
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Charles Good, President of Board of Management, to Colonial Secretary, 27 February 1865, forwarding pertinent information and requesting that Cooper be called upon for an explanation.
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Resolution passed at meeting of the hospital board, 24 February 1865, asking that the finance committee report and auditor's report be forwarded to the government.
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Finance committee to Board of Management, apologising for the "loose and unsatisfactory condition" of the accounts, and expressing dissatisfaction with Cooper's handling of his position.
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Auditors report to President of the Board of Management, New Westminster, 23 February 1865.
Other documents included in the file
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Elliot to Crown Agents, 31 May 1865, suspending payment of Cooper's half salary until further notification.
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Elliot to J. Cooper, 1 June 1865, forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures and advising that his half salary would be withheld pending receipt of his report on the subject.