Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 28 September 1867, CO 60:29, no. 11764, 283.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Seymour discusses the salary of Young considering Young’s new responsibilities for the finances of both Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia. Minutes by Cox and Adderley discuss the proper arrangements for Young’s salary.
No. 134
Victoria
28th September 1867
My Lord Duke,
On the departure of Mr Birch on leave of Absence, I
appointed Mr William A.G. Young, whose office of Colonial
Secretary of Vancouver Island was abolished on the Unionof
of
the Colonies to act as Colonial Secretary of British Columbia.
of
the Colonies to act as Colonial Secretary of British Columbia.
2. As Colonial Secretary of Vancouver Island Mr Young
received six hundred (£600) a year from the Crown Fund. Mr Birch
drew eight hundred pounds (£800) out of the General Revenue of British
Columbia. It appears to me that the fairest arrangement would be,
under existing circumstances, that Mr Young should, while the
Government isin
in Victoria draw pay at the rate of six hundred pounds
(£600) a year. His house is here and he is put to no extra expense nor
are his duties much heavier than when he was Colonial Secretary for
Vancouver Island only. On the other hand I think some consideration
should be shown to Mr Young when he serves at New Westminster,
his position is too uncertain for him to make any permanent
arrangements in that town.I
I propose therefore that when serving
away from his home he should draw pay at the same rate that Mr
Birch did, namely eight hundred pounds (£800).
in Victoria draw pay at the rate of six hundred pounds
(£600) a year. His house is here and he is put to no extra expense nor
are his duties much heavier than when he was Colonial Secretary for
Vancouver Island only. On the other hand I think some consideration
should be shown to Mr Young when he serves at New Westminster,
his position is too uncertain for him to make any permanent
arrangements in that town.I
I propose therefore that when serving
away from his home he should draw pay at the same rate that Mr
Birch did, namely eight hundred pounds (£800).
3. Mr Young thinks that he ought to receive more than six
hundred pounds (£600) a year on account of the rise in prices caused
by the imposition of a tariff, but I do not think that in the present
financial depression any Salaries should be increased.The
The
arrangement is merely temporary as I do not yet know if Mr
Birch will return to the Colony.
The
arrangement is merely temporary as I do not yet know if Mr
Birch will return to the Colony.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
As the leave granted to Mr Birch was not allowed & the office was vacant from the day he left—15th July—it appears to me that Mr Young's appt can be confirmed at once & the rate of his Salary also be fixed.
As the leave granted to Mr Birch was not allowed & the office was vacant from the day he left—15th July—it appears to me that Mr Young's appt can be confirmed at once & the rate of his Salary also be fixed.
Mr Seymour it further
appears to me proposes an arrangement which is jumble—£600
a year when in one place & £800 when in the other—Victoria &
New Westminster—it would be much better to give one fixed rate,
which perhaps might fairly be put at £700.
If however Victoria is made the seat of Govt possibly £600
would do.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 93, 11 December 1867 agreeing with Seymour’s proposal for Young’s salary being based on where Young works, until the Capital of the Colony is determined.