With reference to your despatch N
o 227 of the
25th of October last
forwarding an application from the Royal Engineer Officers in
British
Columbia for payment of the cost of certain property lost in the
Transport
"Briseis""
Briseis" in
1858, I transmit to you, herewith, the copy of a
letter from the War Office stating that in no case is a claim for
compensation for the personal private property
of a Military Officer,
lost on board a Government Transport recognised; and that by the War
Office regulations of
1848 an Officer is required to insure his baggage
or articles of equipment when sent in a ship in which he is not himself
a Passenger.