Colonial Despatches

Sir F. Rogers
I will not contend that this addition of £1000 a year to Governor Seymour's present Salary (£3000) is not rendered necessary by the dear price of everything in B. Columbia, but I think it would have been better if he had previously represented to Mr Cardwell that his official income was insufficient, and have obtained leave for this Law being passed. For should Mr Cardwell think proper to disallow it the Governor will be placed in a disagreeable position, which, however, will be his own fault.

Governor Douglas drew £3000 a year from British Columbia, and £800 from Vancr Island—when he held the united offices.

The Duke of Newcastle considered that not less than £3000 ought to be assigned to each Governor when the Governments were separated.

Governor Kennedy—in a place of equal dearness with B. Columbia—and with the prospect of an income tax before him—is, as far as we know, content with his salary.

Governor Seymour adds £1000 a year to his.

If B. Columbia were flush of money, the grounds for the increase being as stated, it might be right to sanction this addition. I think B. Columbia is not quite in the flourishing state which would justify the approval of this Law. The Revenue was about £130,000 in /64, (8238/65 Govr) and is avowedly insufficient for the demands made upon it. Every shilling it can spare is dedicated to Roads, and public works. The scale of salaries of a few of the Officials has been somewhat augmented of late. The Chilcoteen murderers expedition has cost £16000. The Colony owes us £11,000 for Barracks—upwards of £3000 for Light Houses and has borrowed money from the British Columbia Bank. Further it's Debentures here are not attractive to English Capitalists, and if they can be got off without loss it will be as much as the Crown Agents can manage. Bearing these facts in mind I am obliged to come to the conclusion that—to say the least—this Ordinance is an ill timed one, and that we are entitled to call upon the Governor for an explanation as to the capability of the Colony to bear this proposed addition to it's expenditure.

I must say I think the passing of this Ordce by Mr Seymour witht permission from home very improper. The Instructions are that the Govr is not witht permission to assent to any Ordce "whereby any grant of land or money or any other donation or gratuity is to be made to himself" & tho' "salary" is not "donation" yet the meaning & spirit of the clause is clear. Mr G. Bourn & Mr W. Stevenson both unless I am mistaken both received special permission (unasked I think if not deprecated in the case of Sir W.S.) before they assented to an Ordce of this kind.

I should be very much inclined to disallow, if as stated by Mr Blackwood the Revenue is unequal to the expenditure.

I think we should scarcely disallow, because in a Goldfinding Colony I have no doubt £3000 a year is inadequate. But notice should be taken of the impropriety.

Newspaper clipping, The British Columbian, 16 March 1865, commenting on the reporting of the British Columbia estimates in the newspapers of Vancouver Island, with explanation of various account entries.

Resolution of the Legislative Council calling for a salary increase of £1000 for the governor.

Rogers to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 2 October 1865, forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures for consideration and advising that Cardwell felt the measure must be approved.