Colonial Despatches

In my Despatch No 19 of 22nd February I submitted for Your Lordship's consideration the propriety of transferring the Crown fund of Vancouver Island to the General Revenue. Before that transfer takesplace place I would ask Your Lordship to permit me to apply a sum not exceeding (£400) Four Hundred Pounds to the purchase of a small quantity of necessary Furniture for the Government House at New Westminster. The House is a good one, but if it is altogether disused it will soon fall out of repair, and it is not habitable at present for want of furniture. It is desirable for many reasonsapart apart from personal recreation or convenience, that the Governor should be able occasionally to reside for a few weeks or months at New Westminster, which is the Chief Town of the Mainland and the former seat of Government of the United Colony. The residents there would regard it as a compliment that the Governor should sometimes visit them, and excursionsto to the Upper Country can be more easily made from thence.