Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Musgrave, Anthony to Wodehouse, John 18 January 1871, CO 60:43, no. 2274, 9.
Abstract
Musgrave, Anthony to Wodehouse, John 18 January 1871, CO 60:43, no. 2274, 9.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (6), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1), Marginalia (3).
No. 2
18th January 1871
My Lord,
Referring to my Despatch No 125 of the 11th October last, and
Your Lordship's Circular of 1st of August previous, I now have
the honor to forward the Returns of Hospitals and Lunatic
Asylums, required inLord
Lord Granville's Circular of the 12th July
1869.
Lord Granville's Circular of the 12th July
1869.
2. There is no separate Lunatic Asylum, I regret to say. The
small number of Patients and the pecuniary embarrassments of the
Colony have hitherto prevented any attempt to supply this want.
Lunatics can only be confined in part of the Gaols at Victoria
and New Westminster under the best arrangements fortheir
their
comfort which are possible in the circumstances.
their
comfort which are possible in the circumstances.
3. There are three Hospitals—at Victoria, New Westminster and
Cariboo. Although not coming up to the standards of English
requirements, those at the two latter places answer all
practical purposes for small communities very well, and provide
sufficiently for the comfort of the Patients. The Hospitalat
at
Victoria is not equally satisfactory. But it is not under the
control of the government; being managed by a Board
consisting of a President, Treasurer, Secretary and Eight
Members who are elected at a yearly public meeting of
subscribers. The Institution is supported by Voluntary
Contributions, and a small income arising from payingpatients
patients,
with the aid of a grant from the Government of Three hundred and
Twenty Dollars per month;
which however constitutes the chief Revenue.
at
Victoria is not equally satisfactory. But it is not under the
control of the government; being managed by a Board
Exactly what often happens.
patients,
with the aid of a grant from the Government of Three hundred and
Twenty Dollars per month;
About £770 per annum.
4. A good deal of discussion has from time to time taken place
as to the necessity for improvement in the Victoria Hospital,
and after Union with Canada, when the finances of the Colonywill
will be in a more prosperous condition, I have no doubt that
steps will be taken for this purpose.
will be in a more prosperous condition, I have no doubt that
steps will be taken for this purpose.
Minutes by CO staff
HT
8 Mch/71
Mr Herbert
Governor Musgrave speaks well of the Hospital at New Westminster and the little hospital at Cariboo. There is nothing in the Returns, I think, at variance with his opinion. Of the Hospital at Victoria he does not speak well, and in this the Returns bear him out. But it is not a government Institution, and improvement, he says must await federation with Canada. The Returns relating to the Lunatics in the Gaols of Victoria and New Westminster are very gloomy.
There are excellent Asylums in Canada if the patients
could only be got there. As confederation is in view, I should
be disposed not to go too much into the matter—merely
acknowledging, and saying that Lord Kimberley hopes that when
confederation takes place some means will be found to
(put an end to a state of things which is painful to reflect on?)
Governor Musgrave speaks well of the Hospital at New Westminster and the little hospital at Cariboo. There is nothing in the Returns, I think, at variance with his opinion. Of the Hospital at Victoria he does not speak well, and in this the Returns bear him out. But it is not a government Institution, and improvement, he says must await federation with Canada. The Returns relating to the Lunatics in the Gaols of Victoria and New Westminster are very gloomy.
There are excellent Asylums in Canada if the patients
could only be got there. As confederation is in view, I should
be disposed not to go too much into the matter—merely
acknowledging, and saying that Lord Kimberley hopes that when
confederation takes place some means will be found to
provide a proper Lunatic asylum.
It is not more than two or three years since the confinement of lunatics in prisons in Ireland has ceased. When I was Ld [one word off microfilm] a large number were in prisons.
It is not more than two or three years since the confinement of lunatics in prisons in Ireland has ceased. When I was Ld [one word off microfilm] a large number were in prisons.
EF
10.3.71
HT
11 Mch/71
Perhaps a moderate expenditure in covering in part of the
exercise courts for Lunatics should be suggested; and it should
be asked what provision there is for protecting them from severe
cold, & whether the cells in which they sleep are warmed in any
way. The fact that there is no thermometer is discreditable
to
the colony management, and as the only two deaths which occurred among
the Victoria Lunatics were from congestion of the lungs, there
appears reason to fear that they may have been improperly
exposed to cold.
to
the colony management, and as the only two deaths which occurred among
the Victoria Lunatics were from congestion of the lungs, there
appears reason to fear that they may have been improperly
exposed to cold.
RGWH
Mar 11/71
I shd say no more than is suggested in the first minute (Mr
Fairfield?) or at least shd not suggest any expenditure before
Federation—it might be as well to ask as to provision ag[ain]st
cold.
EHKH
11/3/71
I think what is proposed in the first minute is sufficient in
the particular circumstances.
K
March 12/71
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Returns for hospitals at New Westminster,
Victoria, and Cariboo for 1869, providing in tabular form
details on number of patients treated, description of
facilities, types of diseases treated, number of deaths, etc.
Returns for lunatic asylums at New Westminster and Victoria
for 1869, similar to hospital returns but including as well
(for Victoria Asylum) a daily dietary table.
