Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hamilton, George Alexander to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 21 August 1861, CO 305:18, no. 7614, 326.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Other documents (2).
Hamilton writes Elliot, on behalf of the Treasury,
to inform Newcastle that the Treasury agrees that an accountant should review the
HBC's financial records as part of negotiations between the government and the company
concerning the HBC's
claim for compensation for costs incurred on Vancouver Island prior to the colony's reconveyance.
However, the Treasury suggests that this review would be more effectively, and cheaply, done by
the Audit Office, or by Gentlemen of Experience in the Audit Office.The minutes show that Colonial Office staff agree.
Hamilton to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
21 August 1861
With reference to your letter of the 29th ult I am directed by the
Lords Commissioners of Her Majestys Treasury to acquaint you that
Their Lordships concur with the Duke of Newcastle that the accounts
of the Hudson's Bay Company should be subjected to a strict
examination before any further payment to the Company is made. My
Lords, however, have to suggest whether such an examination might not
be undertaken either by the Audit Office, or by Gentlemen of
Experience in the Audit Office, and the largecharges
charges incidental to
the employment of a Professional Accountant thereby avoided.
charges incidental to
the employment of a Professional Accountant thereby avoided.
If His Grace, after communication with the Hudson's Bay Company,
should approve of the course recommended my Lords will be prepared to
give the necessary instructions on the subject.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Fortescue
I think this wd be much better than the Accountant. But the gentleman apptd shd be placed in communication with this Office, & it shd be pointed out to the Treasy at once that it will be impossible to apply to the books of a Trading Compy the same
kind of
rules as are applied to those of public accountants & that the
officer employed should be made clearly aware of this in order to
avoid minute controversies wh wd lead to nothing.
I think this wd be much better than the Accountant. But the gentleman apptd shd be placed in communication with this Office, & it shd be pointed out to the Treasy at once that it will be impossible to apply to the books of a Trading Compy the same
kind of
rules as are applied to those of public accountants & that the
officer employed should be made clearly aware of this in order to
avoid minute controversies wh wd lead to nothing.
FR
22/8
Yes. It is a pity that we did not sooner obtain the Try
opinion—wh. wd. have saved delay & trouble.
CF
22
I concur.
N
24
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Emigration Commissioners, 30 August 1861, advising
that the examination of the company's accounts was to be conducted by
a
gentleman of experience in the Audit Officeand directing them to decline the services of accounting firm Coleman, Turquand, Youngs & Co.
Minutes by CO staff
Other documents included in the file
*
Rogers to Hamilton, 30 August 1861, agreeing with
the Treasury's suggestion, with additional remarks.