Colvile to Newcastle
Hudson's Bay House
April 17th 1853
My Lord Duke,
I have the honour to transmit for your Grace's consideration, a design for a Church calculated to accommodate about 550 persons which it is proposed to erect in the district of Victoria Vancouvers' Island.
No estimate of the expense having been forwarded to me, I am not able to inform your Grace what the building will cost, but as it is intended that it shall be of wood, and of simple construction, it will not be very expensive.
I am not aware that there is any person on the Island in a condition to contract for such a structure, it will therefore in all probabilityhaveManuscript image have to be erected by the servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, and should you approve of the design I propose to give directions that every possible economy be observed in its execution.
I have the honour to be
My Lord Duke
Your Grace's mo obedt humble Servant
A. Colvile
Governor
His Grace The Duke of Newcastle &c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Merivale
I am not aware whether the experience of this Office in Church building is sufficient to enable it to express any opinion on the design herewith sent for a Church at VanCouver's Island: but at any rate satisfaction may be expressed at the announced intention of the H.B.Co?
The reference to the expense of the Church is occasioned by theManuscript image agreement of Govt to take the buildings &c of the Hudson's Bay Co off the Company's hands should the Govt choose to resume possession of the Island when the Grant to the H.B.Co expires.
ABd 18 Apl
HM Apl 18
FP 18
N 19
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Colonial Office to Colvile, 23 April 1853, expressing satisfaction at the intention to construct a church, and returning the enclosure.