Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Kennedy, Arthur to Rogers, Frederic 1 June 1867, CO 60:31, no. 5435, 294.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Kennedy acknowledges ordering a
judicial enquiryinto the loss of the mail steamer Labouchere and that Young’s statements are correct. Kennedy states that Needham did not apply for additional compensation at the time but that Kennedy would have considered giving Needham compensation for the enquiry. Elliot’s minute, with reference to other Chief Commissioner’s claims, advises declining Needham’s request for compensation. Buckingham minutes that Kennedy’s letter did not provide any reasons for giving Needham
special remuneration.
Kennedy to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
June 1t 1867
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the recei[p]t of Your letter
dated 31t May; transmitting the copy of a despatch from Governor
Seymour, enclosing a letter from Chief Justice Needham, preferring a
claim for compensation for conducting a commission of enquiry into
the loss of the mail steamer "Labouchere," together with Colonial
Secretary Youngs remarks thereon.
In reply I have to state, that I ordered a judicial enquiry
which appeared to me to be very necessary in this case;
and I thought
the Chief Justice was the most fitting, as he was the most competent
person, to hold it.
and I thought
the Chief Justice was the most fitting, as he was the most competent
person, to hold it.
The enquiry was ably conducted, and the "Report" of the
Commission was transmitted by me to the Secy of State for the
Colonies about the middle of May 1866.
The facts of the case as stated by Mr Young are substantially
correct.
Chief Justice Needham made no application to me for
compensation, but had he done so, I should (having referred to the
important interests at stake) have given it favorable consideration.
I believe that this case scarcely came within the sphere of the
ordinary duties of a Chief Justice, and that special compensation in
like cases is not unusual.
Sir Fredc Rogers
&c &c &c &c
&c &c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
See your minute on 4402. Mr Needham's brother Commissioners were allowed their expenses—15$ in one case, the other 7 1/2$—for 3 days in each case.
See your minute on 4402. Mr Needham's brother Commissioners were allowed their expenses—15$ in one case, the other 7 1/2$—for 3 days in each case.
I do not think Capt: Kennedy strengthens the Chief Justice's
application, nor do I see why he shd be differently remunerated
from his brother Comrs.
5 June
I should decline giving remuneration, and three day's travelling
expenses is a matter which I should not raise with reference to a
Chief Justice.
I do not see any sufficient reason in Govr Kennedys letter
for giving special remuneration in this case.
B&C
6/6
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 34, 14 June 1867 instructing Seymour to advise Needham that he will not receive special remuneration for the enquiry into the loss of the
mail steamer Labouchere.