No. 9
3 April 1863
My Lord Duke,
As a part of the scheme of improvement of Victoria Harbor determined upon by this Government it was settled to employ a Dredging Machine aided by a Steam tug. For some Months past we have been innegotiationManuscript image negotiation with firms in San Francisco for the supply of the necessary Machinery. The high price of Iron at the present moment in the United States, & other circumstances have however determined us to obtain the Machinery from England; it being considered that the increased delay consequent thereupon would be more than Compensated for by the probable decrease in expenditure, and the certain superiority of the material.
Mr.Manuscript image
2. Mr Pemberton, the Surveyor General of the Colony, has proposed in the interests of the Colony that it would be most satisfactory, if some person well acquainted with Victoria Harbor and with the contemplated improvements were sent to superintend the construction of the required Machinery; and he has offered, if he himself be selected for the service, to bear all his own personal and travelling expenses, and has undertaken that his absence fromtheManuscript image the Colony shall not exceed a period of Six Months. As Mr Pemberton from his position both as Surveyor General, and as a Member of the Harbor Improvement commission, is undoubtedly the person best calculated for employment upon the service in question, and as the Colony will not be subject to outlay on account of his journey, I have not hesitated to sanction the arrangement, & have in consequence instructed Mr Pemberton to leave for England by today's Steamer, for thepurposesManuscript image purposes and under the conditions aforesaid.
3. Mr Pemberton has been directed upon his arrival in London to report himself at your Office.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your Graces most obedient
and humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
Mr Pemberton will probably report himself at this Office in a day or two. Being absent on duty he will be entitled to full Salary?
VJ 26 May
Mr Pemberton was absent from Vancouver Island on leave from January 1860 to March 1861.
At first it alwaysappearsManuscript image appears questionable whether a Colonial Officer should be allowed to come home in order to superintend work which the Colonial Agents ought to be able to furnish. The precedent might easily be abused. But Mr Pemberton's offer, which has been accepted, to bear the whole of his travelling and personal expenses, disarms any criticism on this point, and I think that the measure may be tacitly acquiesced in.
I think that he may be allowed full salary for a period of six months from the date of his leaving the Colony but not longer.
TFE 28 May
N 29
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 22, 8 June 1863, acknowledging the receipt of Douglas's despatch and Begbie's report and requesting that Douglas express his gratitude to Begbie for his report.