No. 95
Victoria
17th August 1867
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to forward for Your Grace's consideration
copy of a letter which has been addressed to the Colonial
Secretary
by by the Paymaster of the Steamer "
Beaver," asking for
the usual contribution of two hundred and fifty pounds (£250) for six
months hire of the vessel.
2. I understand that the arrangement was made between my
Predecessor and
Captain Richards, the present Hydrographer of
the Navy, that the survey of the Coast of
British Columbia should
be proceeded with so long as the Colony contributed five
hundred hundred
pounds (£500) a year towards the expense.
3. In consequence of financial embarrassments the usual
Colonial contribution was not voted by the Council this year.
Possibly Your Grace might sanction the payment from Imperial Funds
of the entire expense of the Survey during the present and
next year. I may add that greatly as we prize the work upon
which which
the "
Beaver" is employed, it is not in any way under Colonial control.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The Governor suggests that in consequence of the financial
embarrassments of the Colony the expense of the Survey of the
coasts of
B.C. should be borne by the Imp
l Govt for this & next
year. The papers resp
g the financial difficulties are with you.
I should forward
this this despatch for the consideration of the L.C.
of the Admiralty. I should state to them that so long as the
resources of the Colony were adequate for the purpose, the
Secretary of State thinks that it was very proper that it should
contribute towards the survey of it's Coasts. But I should
express regret that the finances of
British Columbia have fallen
into such embarrassment that the Colony for the present cannot
meet it's actual debts, and is quite unable to carry on
any service which can possibly be dispensed with. The salaries of
the Public Officers are largely in arrear.
Under these circumstances it would be for their Lordships to
decide whether or not the Survey should be continued at the charge
of Naval funds, but it must otherwise be left off as the Colony
is no longer in condition to provide for any part of the Expense.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Frederick Lima, Paymaster, to Colonial Secretary,
23 July
1867, requesting payment for hire of the
Beaver.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Secretary to the Admiralty,
6 November 1867,
forwarding copy of the despatch and asking whether the survey should
be continued at the charge of naval funds.