Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Peel, Frederick to Rogers, Frederic 8 March 1862, CO 60:14, no. 2377, 200.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (6), Other documents (1).
Peel informs Newcastle that the Treasury has decided that the positions of
Registrar of the Supreme Courtand
Registrar of Titles to land in British Columbiashould be filled by one person at a salary of £500. The Treasury also feels that if a
Deputy Registrarof lands is required, that the position should be paid only
a nominal Salary.Considerable debate ensues in the minutes.
Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
8 March 1862
With reference to your letter of the 4th Ult. I am directed
by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you,
for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that My Lords are of
opinion that the duties of the Registrar of the Supreme Court and of
the Registrar of Titles to land in British Columbia should, for the present,be
be discharged at a less cost than £800 a year, and They concur with His Grace in
thinking that the same Officer might fill
both offices and be sufficiently remunerated by a Salary of £500.
be discharged at a less cost than £800 a year, and They concur with His Grace in
thinking that the same Officer might fill
both offices and be sufficiently remunerated by a Salary of £500.
My Lords observe that the Registrar of Lands is required to appoint
a Deputy Registrar, who may perform the duties of the office and
receive a Salary not exceeding £300, but They trust that, if such an
appointment is made, none but a nominal
Salary will be attached to it.
Salary will be attached to it.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The Act creates the Office of Registrar General with a Salary not exceeding £500 per annum. I see no reason for not confirming that Act—which Sir F. Rogers has pronounced unobjectionable—& instructing the Governor that the combined Situations of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, & the Registrar General should not for the present cost more than £500 a year.
The Act creates the Office of Registrar General with a Salary not exceeding £500 per annum. I see no reason for not confirming that Act—which Sir F. Rogers has pronounced unobjectionable—& instructing the Governor that the combined Situations of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, & the Registrar General should not for the present cost more than £500 a year.
With regard to the 2d Par. of the Treasury Letter I own I cannot go along with it. If a Deputy Regr is requisite, & he is
called upon to discharge public duties, he ought to be paid a proper
& not a "nominal" Salary. Supposing the Regr Genl is ill for
any length of time is the Deputy to receive nominal pay for his services?
The Act proposes to assign him £300 per annum. I cannot think
that amount too high for an Officer who has to perform trustworthy
duties, especially in so expensive & rough a country as B. Columbia.
ABd
8/3
I entirely agree with Mr Blackwood, but if the Treasury is to
have any control in the matter, it will be of comparatively little
importance what conclusion may be adopted here. But then B. Columbia,
from this time forth is to receive no aid to it's Civil Government
from this Country, except the Salary of the Governor alone. I think
therefore that we may make to the Governor whatever intimation may be
deemed best by you and the Duke of Newcastle on this matter of detail.
TFE
10 March
I suppose we may ask the Govr whether a Deputy Registrar is
necessary, and, if so, whether the duties can be performed for less
than £300 a year?
CF
11
Write to Govr accordingly.
N
12
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 112, 17 March 1862, suggesting that the positions of
Registrar of the Supreme Courtand
Registrar of Titles to land in British Columbiashould be filled by one person at a salary of £500, asking whether the position of
Deputy Registrarof lands is required, and asking whether the position can be filled at a salary of less than £300.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I think you had better see this before it is sent.
I think you had better see this before it is sent.
If Mr Bushby declines the term (retaining with his
present office £300 of what is to make up the £500 salary
of the Registrar of Deeds) a difficulty arises—and for the
land buyers a very practical & pressing one.
FR
13/3
Mr Fortescue
Perhaps you will consider whether any further precaution is necessary, and what figure to adopt in the blank in the margin of page 5. We are acting under the control of the Treasury in the matter.
Perhaps you will consider whether any further precaution is necessary, and what figure to adopt in the blank in the margin of page 5. We are acting under the control of the Treasury in the matter.
TFE
15/3