No. 106
New Westminster
22nd August 1868
My Lord Duke,
I have had the honor to receive Your Grace's despatch No. 26 of 12th May respecting the state of the laws regardingtheManuscript image the disposal of the public lands in this Colony.
2. I beg leave to forward a report from the Surveyor General on the subject and would add my own testimony that the present law works well. During the severe commercial crisis from which we are just emerging the settlement of land in the Upper Country continued, and the farmers were the chief support of the ColonywhenManuscript image when heavy adversity fell on the shop keepers of Victoria and New Westminster.
3. During the last year in one district alone, that of Yale, forty six preemption claims were recorded by persons who have stocked their farms and partially brought them under cultivation.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
It would appear from this Report that the Sale of Crown Lands by Auction is not suited to the circes of the Colony, whilst the preemption system has secured a certain amount of permanent settlement.
To the Ld Bd with a copy of the despatch to which it is an answer.
WR 12/10
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To E.C. at once.
FR 16/10
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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J.W. Trutch, Surveyor General, to Colonial Secretary, 12 August 1868, reporting on the land laws in force in the colony (fifteen pages).
Other documents included in the file
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Rogers to Emigration Commissioners, 21 October 1868, forwarding correspondence with regard to settlement of crown lands in the colony for observations and suggestions.