No. 53
16th May 1865
Sir,
I have the honor to forward an Authenticated and two plain Copies of an Ordinance of the recent Session of the Legislature of this Colony, entitled; No. 9. An Ordinance to apply the sum of two hundred andtwentyManuscript image twenty five thousand, nine hundred and forty six pounds, twelve shillings and eight pence, Sterling (£225,946.12.8), out of the General Revenue of the Colony of British Columbia and its dependencies, to the Service of the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty five. I add the Report of the Attorney General.
By next mail.
2. The estimates
Where are they?
[ABd]
for the Current year were framed in the belief that the sum of seventy three thousand, seven hundred poundsremainingManuscript image remaining from the Loan authorized under the Ordinance No. 7 of 10th March 1864, would be available for the public use. It is also believed that Gold Mines of great value have been discovered in the most inaccessible portion of the Colony, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains,
A problem unsolved at present.
[ABd]
and that a large expenditure would have to be incurred in order to prevent the whole traffic with the new mines being carried onfromManuscript image from Oregon and Washington Territories. If the Loan is not available the expenditure will not amount to the Estimate. If the newly discovered mines are not of the value we anticipate, a saving will be made in the Estimates for Roads, Buildings and Police on the Kootenay and in the staff of Constables and Customs Officers appointed to work the Southern Boundary.
Hypothesis.
[ABd]
3. There is an apparentincreaseManuscript image increase in the Salaries of the several Gold Commissioners in the interior but this is more than compensated for in the reduction of allowances.
4. An increase of one hundred pounds per annum (£100) has been voted for the Police Magistrate of New Westminster.
Mr Brew is an energetic—excellent public Officer, & can turn his hand in a rough country to most things. His present salary is £600.
[ABd]
It had long been apparent that Mr Brew, the Senior Magistrate of the Colony was one of the worst paid Officers in it. He has no house, he drawsnoManuscript image no allowance. There was not a dissentient voice in the Council when I recommended this increase.
5. I shall report separately upon two new Offices which it is proposed to create. That of a second Judge. That of an Assistant Surveyor General. The former I have not even temporarily filled. The latter, the continued absence of Mr Trutch has compelled me to provide for until your pleasureManuscript image be known.
6. I enclose a Report from the Auditor upon the several items in the Appropriation Ordinance.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
Governor Seymour has repeated in 1865 the error committed in 1864. He has not sent the Estimates of Appropriation with the Supply Ordinance of the year. The omission having been pointed out last year he ought not to have repeated it this time. The Attorney General's report on the Ordinance and the Auditor's report on the items of expenditure are also not come. They are promised by some succeeding Mail. To the best of my belief the real Revenue of the Colony is about 130 or £140,000. But the Governor taking into account an assumed unexpended balance of the loan, and the cost of Works at the Kootenay, which last may not be executed has passed a Supply Ordinance to the amount of £225,000.
Having in view certain additions on account of salaries to the public expenditure I fear Governor Seymour is exhibiting a profuseness which the circumstances of the Colony will not justify. Everything should be devoted to Roads and Works in this new Colony and the Public Establishment should be kept as low as possible.
I think this Despatch had better go at once to the Treasury.
ABd 18 July
TFE 18 July
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Sir F. Rogers
I should explain to you that Adverting to the expression in my minute on 6411 that Govr Seymour was becoming profuse in his expre Mr Cardwell observed to me orally that he was reluctant to pass this Ordinance (No 9) to the Treasury without some remark to that effect. I, therefore, withdraw the papers in the hope that the Estimates, & certain explanatory enclosures which ought to have accompanied the Govrs despatch & which were promised by a succeeding Mail, would arrive. But they have not come even now. In the interval I have discussed the Ordinance with Mr Buckland, the Colonial Clerk, at the Treasury; & he is very clear in his opinion that the T-y will not take this Ordce into consideration without the Estimates. He suggests that we shd write for them. Shall we do so at once, or shall we make an official reference to the T-y & get their ansr in black & white? I consider that Govr Seymour is much to blame for sending the case home in an incomplete state, after theManuscript image notice taken of a similar omission last year, & I am not clear that our friend, Birch, is not open to the same remark.
With respect to the question of "profusion" which by the way, may be too strong a phrase, I can add nothing more than what I have stated in my Minute on 8234 which I send to you with this.
ABd 25 Sepr
I think send to Treasury stating that we have written for the Estimates and write accordy.
FR 25/9
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not in file.
Other documents included in the file
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Rogers to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 30 September 1865, forwarding copy of the despatch and ordinance for consideration, and explaining that the reports therein mentioned had not yet arrived from the colony.
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Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 75, 30 September 1865.