Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 2 June 1866, CO 305:28, no. 6754, 398.
Abstract
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 2 June 1866, CO 305:28, no. 6754, 398.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (9), Other documents (1).
No. 38, Miscellaneous
2nd June 1866
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 13,
6th April 1866 requesting information as to the effects of a Police
Officer named John Curry who was accidentally killed in 1864 before I
assumed this Government.
You
You will observe from the accompanying copy of a letter from Mr
Cowper Cain dated 13th March 1866 with my minute thereon and
accompanying correspondence that I had instituted inquiry into this
matter before I received your Despatch.
The only excuse for the delay in closing this matter, as you will
observe from Mr Pemberton's letter (dated 31st May 1866 herewith),
is "that there was no PublicAdministrator
Administrator in this Colony." This is
I regret to say still the fact, and though a Bill has been long since
drafted by my directions to remedy this Evil I do not see any
immediate probability of its passing into law.
Administrator in this Colony." This is
I regret to say still the fact, and though a Bill has been long since
drafted by my directions to remedy this Evil I do not see any
immediate probability of its passing into law.
The accompanying papers will explain the whole transaction which I
can only regard as an additional instance of the irregularity and
loose management of the Police Force when under the Commissionership
and Superintendence of Messrs Pembertonand
and Smith.
and Smith.
The matter is now in Mr Hankin's hands and will be settled without
delay.
Minutes by CO staff
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, Cowper Cain to Kennedy, 13 March 1866, writing on behalf of Mrs.
Curry who sought news of her son's death, and stating that as no reply
had been received to repeated inquiries, the "next inquiry will be
through the Colonial Secretary at the instance of J.W. Pease, Esqre
M.P. for South Durham."
Pemberton to Mrs. Curry, 25 April 1864, informing her of "the
decease of your son who was shot by a brother officer in mistake,"
and advising that his estate would be remitted to his relatives upon
receipt of a letter in answer to his communication.
Minute, signed by W.A.G. Young, Colonial Secretary, 15 May 1866,
marked "Forwarded to Mr Pemberton accordingly."
Minute, signed by Philip Hankin, Superintendent of Police, no date,
advising that Curry's estate was being wound up and that moneys due
would be "paid into the Treasury to the credit of the late John Curry,
there to wait until claimed by next of kin."
Minute, signed by Young, 30 May 1866, advising that the
governor's comments had been forwarded to the Superintendent of
Police for reply "at his earliest possible convenience."
A.F. Pemberton, Stipendiary Magistrate, to Young, 31 May 1866,
explaining the delay in settling Curry's estate and the course of
action he had taken in the matter.
Other documents included in the file
Colonial Office to J.W. Pease, 21 July 1866, forwarding
information "respecting the death of John Curry, and his residuary
estate."