Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Birch, Arthur Nonus to Cardwell, Edward 25 April 1866, CO 60:24, no. 5783, 261.
Abstract
Birch, Arthur Nonus to Cardwell, Edward 25 April 1866, CO 60:24, no. 5783, 261.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
No. 39
25th April 1866
Sir,
I have the honor to forward a letter addressed to me by Mr
Justice Begbie relating to the Jurisdiction of the Supreme
Courts of British Columbia and Vancouver Island.
2. I have informed MrBegbie
Begbie of the probability that the
subject will have been arranged by the Union of these Colonies
before the receipt of this Despatch. I am anxious however that
the enclosed correspondence should be laid before you in reference
to Mr Begbie's remarks, in the latter portion of his letter of
the 23rd Instant, as to the position he would occupy on the
Union of Vancouver Island with British Columbia.
Begbie of the probability that the
subject will have been arranged by the Union of these Colonies
before the receipt of this Despatch. I am anxious however that
the enclosed correspondence should be laid before you in reference
to Mr Begbie's remarks, in the latter portion of his letter of
the 23rd Instant, as to the position he would occupy on the
Union of Vancouver Island with British Columbia.
3. The Colony is largely indebted toMr
Mr Begbie for the
manner in which he has discharged the duties of the high Office
he has held with satisfaction to all classes since 1859, and I
cannot suppose Her Majesty's Government will allow Mr Begbie
to occupy an inferior position to the one he has hitherto enjoyed.
Mr Begbie for the
manner in which he has discharged the duties of the high Office
he has held with satisfaction to all classes since 1859, and I
cannot suppose Her Majesty's Government will allow Mr Begbie
to occupy an inferior position to the one he has hitherto enjoyed.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I should suppose that when the Colonies are united there must still be a Chief Judge in B.C. It wd be impossible, I shd say, for one Judge of the United Colonies to do all the travelling work. The amount of Law business might perhaps be got through by one man, if the cases cd all come to him.
I should suppose that when the Colonies are united there must still be a Chief Judge in B.C. It wd be impossible, I shd say, for one Judge of the United Colonies to do all the travelling work. The amount of Law business might perhaps be got through by one man, if the cases cd all come to him.
It is fair to add that Mr Begbie has proved an excellent
appointment for B.C. He is brave (a necessity amongst the
miners) very active, and, I speak under correction, able in a
professional point of view.
Answer that Mr Bs claims will be duly considered.
ABd
15 June
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
M.B. Begbie to Officer Administering the Government, 23 April
1866, reporting as per despatch, with query as to his status in
the event of unification.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Cardwell to Officer Administering the
Government, No. 35, 23 June 1866.