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 UnionofManuscript image 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 isinManuscript image 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.IManuscript image 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.TheManuscript image The arrangement is merely temporary as I do not yet know if Mr Birch will return to the Colony.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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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.
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.
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I think I would confirm the Governor's arrangements provisionally—i.e. until it is settled where the capital is to be. When that is done a more permanent arrangement shd be made.
CBA 7/12
B&C 8/12
Other documents included in the file
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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.