No. 32
9th March 1869
My Lord,
I have had the honor to receive the Duke of Buckingham's despatch No. 105 of 7th December 1868.
2. I see with pleasure that His Grace has beenpleasedManuscript image pleased to approve of the Estimates for 1868.
3. As regards the Instructions conveyed to the Governor of the Straits Settlements as to the preparation of the Estimates and Financial Returns—copy of which is sent for my guidance so far as they may be applicable to this Colony—I venture to observe that they are not applicable to British Columbia.ItManuscript image It would be impossible for us with the present staff of accountant Officers to furnish all the elaborate Statements required under the Despatch in question. Even if they could be supplied without additional assistance, the distance from, and the want of regular communication with some of the District Collectorates, would render them valueless as a guidetoManuscript image to the financial operations of this Government, from the fact that they could only be completed months after the date they would represent.
4. In Colonies, such as the Mauritius, where it must be difficult to Estimate the Revenue closely, as I perceive from the Comparative Statement for the Year 1865 annexed to His Grace's despatch No 105, where theRevenueManuscript image Revenue exceeded that Estimated by forty four thousand pounds (£44,000), monthly progress statements must be very useful.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Sir F. Sandford
As this Straits S. despatch was sent to Govr Seymour for adoption so far as it was applicable to B. Columbia—& as he says it is not applicable—we must be content for the present. We shall soon (at least ought as they have been passed some little time) to receive the Estimates for 1869 & shall be able to judge better then.
CC 26/4
Manuscript image
At once. Put by.
FRS 26/4