Colonial Despatches

In compliance with the instructions contained in Your Despatch of the 7th July 1863, Separate, I have the honor to forward herewith to Your Grace a draft of the conveyance to Trustees for the benefit of the Incumbent of Christ's Church, and for the benefit of that Church, and the Church of England established within the Colony, of the land at Victoriaknown known as the Church Reserve, in order that the same may be submitted to the Lord Bishop of Columbia prior to its execution.

2. The persons proposed as Trustees are not described in the Deed, as this matter had probably better be settled in England. For my own part I think the Governor of the Colony, and the Bishop of the Diocese are the two persons most suitable to hold the Trust.

3. There is also another point left unsettled which had also better be arranged in England; and that is in whom shall be vested the right of presentation to the living ofChrist Christ Church. As the grant of the land may be viewed as a Crown endowment it may be urged that the Crown should present the Living, but under all the circumstances of the case, my own opinion would incline to leave it entirely in the hands of the Bishop of the Diocese.

4. The section of ground set apart for a Cemetery is entirely omitted from the annexed Conveyance. A portion of that ground has been used exclusively by the Roman Catholic Church, and other portions have been used by Christians of all denominations. In a short period it will be found necessary for sanitary reasons todiscontinue discontinue interments, as the ground will be in the heart of the City. Under these circumstances it therefore appears to me advisable that the land should be included in the re-conveyance by the Hudsons Bay Company of Lands to the Crown, and the Crown can then afterwards either continue to hold it, or convey it in Trust as may hereafter be found expedient.