Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
27th January 1867
Sir
With reference to your letter of 2nd inst, I enclose herewith the copy of a letter from the Hudsons Bay Co, agreeing to repay the amount received by them for the portion of the public Park at Victoria, Vancouvers Island, which was sold in error, but proposing that the amount to be repaid should be determined by us. We have no means of ascertaining the exact extent of the land alienated, or the sum received for it and we would, therefore, suggest that if LordManuscript image Carnarvon should approve of the proposal of the Company to leave in our hands the decision as to the amount to be reclaimed, the Governor of Vancouvers Island should be requested to obtain the most precise and accurate information that can be procured on that point, for our assistance in forming a decision.
2. In the meantime the preparation of the Deed for the retransfer of the Island need not be interrupted.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient
humble Servant
T.W.C. Murdoch
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot [and] Sir F. Rogers
Capn Kennedy, now in England, cd probably help us in this matter; but as he holds no official position it will be more satisfactory to refer to the local Authorities, especially as the reconveyance need not be delayed on acct of the referral to V.C.I.
ABd 29-1
TFE 29/1
They mt be requested in theManuscript image first instance to communicate with Capt Kennedy.
At once.
FR 29/1
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Copy, Thomas Fraser to S. Walcott, Emigration Board, 23 January 1867, agreeing that the company should repay the sum received for the portion of the park sold in error, advising that the actual sum received could not be confirmed by the company and so referring the matter back to the crown for settlement.
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Memorandum, signed by A.G. Dallas, 15 January 1866 [1867], explaining the difficulty in determining the sum received on account of the sale of a portion of the public park.
Other documents included in the file
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Colonial Office to Emigration Commissioners, 31 January 1867, asking that they communicate with Captain Kennedy, currently in England, who may be able to supply the necessary information with reference to the sale of a portion of the public park.