No. 92
27th July 1870
My Lord,
Referring to my Despatch No 70, of 16th May, I have the honor to forward for Your Lordship's information printed Copies of "Rules and Regulations for the management and government of Common Schools," which I haveapprovedManuscript image approved in Council under the provisions of the "Common School amendment Ordinance, 1870." I think these will practically for the present answer the purpose of the "Conscience Clause" which Your Lordship suggested should be added to the Original Ordinance of 1869.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
A. Musgrave
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Herbert
See Governor's despatch 13269 & minutes attached.
CC 31/8
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They seem good regulations for the purposes of the Colony.
Acknowledge at once.
RGWH Aug 31/70
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Let Mr Monsell see when he returns.
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I think some of these rules will be strongly objected to by [ruf hrerbrile?] portions of the population.
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Mr Monsell
I don't quite see why, as any pupil may be withdrawn from the religious exercises, unless secular schools would have been preferred, but perhaps I fail to seize the point.
I only recd this today. It should have been sent to me before.
K Nov 3/70
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Lord Kimberley
I think that common prayer in mixed schools will be objected to in B. Columbia for the same reason that it is objected to in Ireland—as you are aware it is prohibited by the N. Board.
I observe that scripture lessons & lessons on the truth of Xstianity are among the books to be used in the Common schools during the hours of united instruction.
It was because the National Board prohibited this that archbishop Whitely L. Blackburn left the Board.
I think the Irish Conscience clause much better than the proposed one.
It is probable that B Columbia will soon joinManuscript image the Dominion of Canada.
It might perhaps be well, as our responsibility for B. Columbia legislation will then cease, to keep the education Question open until then.
Could the rules under consideration be sanctioned for one or two years?
WM 7/11
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On the whole I think it will be best not to interfere with these regulations as the Colony will so soon come under a new Government, but I would point out the objections to the Governor.
K Nov 11/70
Other documents included in the file
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Printed copy of "Rules and Regulations for the Management and Government of Common Schools."
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Herbert (for Kimberley) to Musgrave, No. 16, 2 September 1870.
Minutes by CO staff
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For Consn.
[FRR]
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These are my sentiments, but as Mr Monsell has taken an interest in the question, & may like to have the ground left clear for him to make any observations, I think I wd at present simply acknowledge.
Other documents included in the file
*
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Draft reply, Kimberley to Musgrave, No. 34, 25 November 1870.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Herbert
I understand this to be in accordance with Lord Kimberley's Minute.
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See minute on next page.
K Nov 18/70
Musgrave, Sir Anthony to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 27 July 1870, CO 60:39, no. 9448, 193. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B70092.html.

Last modified: 2020-03-30 13:22:16 -0700 (Mon, 30 Mar 2020) (SVN revision: 4193)