Colonial Despatches

Rumours have recently reached me that some of the Assistant Gold Commissioners, and their Subordinates, have more or less directly or indirectly, entered into Mining speculations; that is to say have become personally interested in Mining affairs, eitherdirectly directly by taking up a mining claim, or by purchasing an interest in a claim, or indirectly by investing money in claims upon behalf of relatives or friends.

2. I have not yet been able to ascertain the entire truth of these reports, but I much fear, from the fact of one of the Subordinate Officers having suddenly resigned his situation, and immediately afterwards become the avowed possessor of a rich claim at Carribou, that they are not altogether destitute of foundations.I I, therefore, have not hesitated to address a Circular to such Officers, and, generally, to Officers throughout the Colony, distinctly and peremptorily forbidding any such practices.

3. I am well aware that the temptations offered to Officers in a gold producing Country are of no ordinary character, and the more especially were they so, during the past season at Carribou, for with the famine prices of provisions, flour at one time being upwards of Six Shillings a pound!—it has been a hard struggle with some of them toprocure procure the bare means of subsistence, notwithstanding their apparent high rate of salary, but, still, I can entertain no doubt of the serious evil which may result in such a Country from Officers being in any way mixed up with matters, which, sooner or later, can hardly fail to be affected, one way or the other, by the decisions which they may find themselves called upon to give, and I have therefore imperatively laid down the rule that Officers must surrender their interests in such speculations, or abandon the service of the Government.

4. I enclose a copy of the Circulars which I have caused to be issued, and, as I doubt not that the question has arisen in other Colonies somewhat similarly circumstanced to British Columbia. I should feel thankful if Your Grace would favor me with your views thereupon, and advise me how far, in a new Colony, it may be just for a Government to prevent its Servants from investing their Savings in the enterprises which such a Country offers.