I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Despatches N
o
79 of
5th August and N
o 90 of
9th September respecting an
application from the
Bishop of British Columbia for payment by
the Crown
Agents Agents of a sum of £400 for assisting Female
Emigration to this Colony.
2. I very much regret the delay and inconvenience which have
arisen from the omission of my Predecessor to make the necessary
report to Your Lordship's Department in proper time. I was
myself quite ignorant of the whole matter until I received Your
Lordship's Despatches, and
Mr Hankinthe the Colonial Secretary was
not aware that you had not been acquainted with what was
proposed by the local Government. It was, I am informed by the
late Governor's Private Secretary, the intention of
Mr Seymour
to have reported the Scheme just before he sailed for the
Northwest Coast, but that he had not received the final report
from the Immigration
Committee Committee and decided therefore not to do
so until all arrangements had been definitely concluded.
3. I now forward a Memorandum upon the subject prepared by
Mr
Hankin, and the Minutes of the proceedings of the Immigration
Board. I think the object in view is worthy of the assistance
which the Legislative Council desired to afford.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
It does not appear now how this £700 is provided for: it may be
by Supplementary Estimate, or in the next Estimates. The Bishop
has had £400, the remaining £300 it may be assumed is to cover
expences in the Colony.
The Emigration Com
rs shd have copy of the
correspondence—but I do not see that we are yet in a position
to apply
for Treasury sanction.
Sir F. Sandford
This is really—i.e. so much of it as we have to consider—not
Emig
n but finance.
1. Copy to E.C.—for infn.
2. You will judge whether this authorises any payment to the
Bishop.
1. Inform E. Commrs as proposed.
2. We have already asked the C. Agents to pay the Bishop £400.
Have the Colony any balance in their exchequer? I think not.
G.
I suppose this was considered at the time of the order.