Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 24 March 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6179, 247.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (5), Other documents (1).
Seymour responds to a despatch
enquiring if there be any Hospitals or Lunatic Asylums in [British Columbia]and describes the location, management, and condition of a number of hospitals and asylums.
No. 33
24th March 1865
Sir,
I have had the honor to receive your Separate Despatch
of the 12th of May 1864, enquiring if there be any Hospitals
or Lunatic Asylums in this Colony, and if so whetherthey
they are
managed in a satisfactory manner.
they are
managed in a satisfactory manner.
2. I beg leave now to return answers to the series of
interrogatories transmitted in the Duke of Newcastle's
despatch of the 1st January 1863, which I believe have
not yet been noticed in this Colony.
3. The Royal Columbian Hospital has hitherto been
supposed to be supported byvoluntary
voluntary contributions and
on this supposition the subscribers have annually elected
the Board of Management. The Gentlemen selected being in no
way responsible to the Government, which however has been
compelled to defray three-fourths of the expenses, the institution
has been somewhat neglected. At the last election I notified
that I would expect two Government Officers to be appointed
to the Board inconsideration
consideration of the payments made from the
Treasury, and Mr Good, the Clerk of the Council, and Mr Ker,
the Auditor, named by me were at once elected. The former
gentleman was appointed Chairman of the Board. The defects
in the management pointed out in the Tables I enclose, have
been remedied and the drainage improved. I cause the patients
to be supplied with the "Times," "SaturdayReview,
Review," and such
other newspapers as I subscribe to in England, California and
the Colonies.
voluntary contributions and
on this supposition the subscribers have annually elected
the Board of Management. The Gentlemen selected being in no
way responsible to the Government, which however has been
compelled to defray three-fourths of the expenses, the institution
has been somewhat neglected. At the last election I notified
that I would expect two Government Officers to be appointed
to the Board inconsideration
consideration of the payments made from the
Treasury, and Mr Good, the Clerk of the Council, and Mr Ker,
the Auditor, named by me were at once elected. The former
gentleman was appointed Chairman of the Board. The defects
in the management pointed out in the Tables I enclose, have
been remedied and the drainage improved. I cause the patients
to be supplied with the "Times," "SaturdayReview,
Review," and such
other newspapers as I subscribe to in England, California and
the Colonies.
4. There is a very creditable hospital supported by
private contributions and a Government allowance of a thousand
a year on William's Creek, Cariboo. I found it extremely
clean and well managed and I rejoice to say that it was,
when I last heard, without a patient.
5. A sum of a thousandpounds
pounds has been voted likewise
for the support of a hospital at the newly discovered Gold
Mines on the Kootenay River.
pounds has been voted likewise
for the support of a hospital at the newly discovered Gold
Mines on the Kootenay River.
6. The Lunatic Asylum in New Westminster though situated
within the prison walls is detached from the main buildings.
The keeper of the gaol and his wife, both remarkably kind
hearted people reside on the premises.
7. The answers tointerrogatories
interrogatories 4 and 5 merely mean
that the Lunatics have no special accommodation apart from the
prisoners. As the latter are employed on out door work from
morning till night there is abundant time for the exercise and
recreation of the Lunatics without their being brought into
communcation with criminals.
interrogatories 4 and 5 merely mean
that the Lunatics have no special accommodation apart from the
prisoners. As the latter are employed on out door work from
morning till night there is abundant time for the exercise and
recreation of the Lunatics without their being brought into
communcation with criminals.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Blackwood
Refer.
Refer.
TFE
1/7
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Interrogatories on lunatic asylums in British Columbia,
with answers appended thereto (22 questions, 22 pages).
Interrogatories on hospitals in British Columbia, answered in
relation to The Royal Columbian, New Westminster (14 questions, 14
pages).
Printed copy of "Rules for Nurses," Royal Columbian Hospital,
1 January 1863.
Printed copy of "Rules for Visitors," Royal Columbian Hospital,
1 January 1863.
Printed copy of "Rules for Patients," Royal Columbian Hospital,
1 January 1863.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to W.J. Wright, 7 July 1865, forwarding copy of the
despatch and enclosures and requesting a report of "any remarks which
occur to you on the subject."