Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to
Forster, William Edward 7 February 1866, CO 60:26, no. 1300, 3.
Abstract
Romaine, William Govett to
Forster, William Edward 7 February 1866, CO 60:26, no. 1300, 3.
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Romaine to Under-Secretary of State
Admiralty
7th February 1866
Sir,
I am commanded by my Lord Commrs of the Admiralty
to request you will lay before Mr Secretary Cardwell the
accompanying petition from Mr Alfred Waddington of
Victoria, Vancouver Island, in regard to his claim for
compensation on account of the loss of his scow on the
Homathco River, during certain operations against the Indians in 1864.
From the copies of the documents attached to the
petition it appears that the Colonial Authorities admit their
liability to afford compensation, whilst they disputethe
the
amount claimed. The matter may probably be dealt with by
the local Government without the intervention of their Lordships.
the
amount claimed. The matter may probably be dealt with by
the local Government without the intervention of their Lordships.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
It appears from these papers that in the performance of a service on the part of B.C. Lt Verney's proceedings led to the loss of a "scow" the property of Mr Alfred Waddington. The B.C. authorities do not dispute the justice of the claim, and, on the report of their Magistrate, Mr Brew, offer to pay £50. Mr Waddington refused to accept that sum, and appeals to the Admiralty, whose officer Lt Verney was, to procure him payment.
It appears from these papers that in the performance of a service on the part of B.C. Lt Verney's proceedings led to the loss of a "scow" the property of Mr Alfred Waddington. The B.C. authorities do not dispute the justice of the claim, and, on the report of their Magistrate, Mr Brew, offer to pay £50. Mr Waddington refused to accept that sum, and appeals to the Admiralty, whose officer Lt Verney was, to procure him payment.
This affair is clearly a 
Colonial & not an Admiralty one.
I do not suppose much good will come out of a reference to the Colony:
but we must either take that course, or inform Mr Waddington that
we cannot help him. It will scarcely be proper for us to suggest
the adoption of legal means agt the local Govt. This is
another expense arising out of the massacre of the Bute Road
party by the Indians.
Colonial & not an Admiralty one.
I do not suppose much good will come out of a reference to the Colony:
but we must either take that course, or inform Mr Waddington that
we cannot help him. It will scarcely be proper for us to suggest
the adoption of legal means agt the local Govt. This is
another expense arising out of the massacre of the Bute Road
party by the Indians.
ABd
8 Feb
I annex a draft in which I would recommend that we refer the case
back to the Colony.
TFE
9 Feb
I have since communicated with Mr Seymour—from which a private
Note is annexed—and it confirms, I think, the fitness of the
proposed answer.
TFE
1 March
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not on microfilm.
Other documents included in the file
