Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 16 April 1862, CO 305:19, no. 5576, 136.
No. 21
16 April 1862
I duly received Your Grace's Despatch No 67 of the 23rd August
last, conveying your opinion and instructions upon the case of the
Reverend Edward Cridge, and with respect to the disposition of the
portion of land at Victoria known as the Church Reserve.
2. The conveyance ofthat
that part of the land which forms the site of
the Church, and of the Cemetery, can I believe be effected without
any difficulty, in the manner Your Grace indicates; but with respect
to the conveyance to Trustees of the remaining portion of the ground,
designated as the Glebe, "for the use of
the Incumbent" a point has arisen in connection with local
circumstances which probably did not occur to Your Grace, from
ignorance of these circumstances.
that part of the land which forms the site of
the Church, and of the Cemetery, can I believe be effected without
any difficulty, in the manner Your Grace indicates; but with respect
to the conveyance to Trustees of the remaining portion of the ground,
designated as the Glebe, "for the use of
the Incumbent" a point has arisen in connection with local
circumstances which probably did not occur to Your Grace, from
ignorance of these circumstances.
3. The portion of ground to be conveyed for the use of theIncumbent
Incumbent
comprises about 20 Acres. At present if utilized it would produce
but a very moderate stipend for the Incumbent; but it is situated in
what will undoubtedly be the very heart of the City, and, in a few
years even, may yield a princely revenue. I therefore propose, and
the Bishop and Mr Cridge both coincide with me in the arrangement,
that the ground in question should be conveyed to Trustees for
"the benefit of the Church of England", being subject to the
following charges in the order in which they stand.
1st
Incumbent
comprises about 20 Acres. At present if utilized it would produce
but a very moderate stipend for the Incumbent; but it is situated in
what will undoubtedly be the very heart of the City, and, in a few
years even, may yield a princely revenue. I therefore propose, and
the Bishop and Mr Cridge both coincide with me in the arrangement,
that the ground in question should be conveyed to Trustees for
"the benefit of the Church of England", being subject to the
following charges in the order in which they stand.
1st A suitable stipend (to be fixed beforehand) for the Incumbent
of Christchurch.
2nd The repairs and necessary Expenses for the due maintenance of
Christchurch.
3rd Such Clerical aid at Christchurch as may become necessary.
4th The foundation and maintenance of Schools in connection with
Christchurch.
5th For the benefit of the Church of England generally: that is
to say for the establishment and maintenance of other Churches and
Schools throughout the Island.
4. I believe Ishould
should be but following Your Graces views were I to
carry out this arrangement of the matter at once, but as the terms of
Your Graces Despatch are distinct—"for the use of
the Incumbent, if local circumstances prevent no obstacle to
that course"—I prefer representing the local circumstances that do
affect the case and submitting the foregoing proposition for Your
Graces sanction.
should be but following Your Graces views were I to
carry out this arrangement of the matter at once, but as the terms of
Your Graces Despatch are distinct—"for the use of
the Incumbent, if local circumstances prevent no obstacle to
that course"—I prefer representing the local circumstances that do
affect the case and submitting the foregoing proposition for Your
Graces sanction.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
In the first instance refer to Land Board.
In the first instance refer to Land Board.
ABd
5/6
TFE
5/6
Duke of Newcastle
I think the reference is hardly necessary. The question is whether this Land shall be conveyed "to the use of the Incumbent" [or] to Trustees for the four purposes specified in Govr Douglas' letter. I have no doubt that the four purposes are best. The only doubt mt have been whether Mr Cridge might not have set up some vested right of his own (for his [life?]) against this generally good disposition. But he is a consenting party.
I think the reference is hardly necessary. The question is whether this Land shall be conveyed "to the use of the Incumbent" [or] to Trustees for the four purposes specified in Govr Douglas' letter. I have no doubt that the four purposes are best. The only doubt mt have been whether Mr Cridge might not have set up some vested right of his own (for his [life?]) against this generally good disposition. But he is a consenting party.
Authorize the Govr to proceed as he proposes.
FR
7/6
Certainly.
N
8
