Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 30 November 1864, CO 305:23, no. 1332, 441.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4).
No. 99
30th November 1864
Sir
1. I have the honor to transmit a copy of correspondence and Minutes
of Council having reference to the suspension of Mr Richard
Golledge, Acting Gold Commissioner.
2. I will shortly state the facts of this case.
3. On the discovery of gold atSooke
Sooke in the month of July last I
found it necessary to despatch an officer without delay to act as
Gold Commissioner. The limited staff of officers left me little
choice, and I preferred selecting a gentleman already in the public
service rather than trust an unknown and untried one.
Sooke in the month of July last I
found it necessary to despatch an officer without delay to act as
Gold Commissioner. The limited staff of officers left me little
choice, and I preferred selecting a gentleman already in the public
service rather than trust an unknown and untried one.
4. Mr Richard Golledge, Chief Clerk in the Treasury was quite
competent as an accountant, had been for some years in the employment
of the Hudson Bay Company, and I was informed had acted asPrivate
Private
Secretary to my Predecessor by whom he was appointed to the Clerkship
in the Treasury. With these qualifications I offered Mr Golledge
the acting appointment of Gold Commissioner.
Private
Secretary to my Predecessor by whom he was appointed to the Clerkship
in the Treasury. With these qualifications I offered Mr Golledge
the acting appointment of Gold Commissioner.
5. Mr Golledge continued to hold this appointment till rumours
reached me that he was leading an intemperate and disreputable life,
addicted to drink and prostitutes.
6. I directed inquiries to be made, and ascertained that Mr
Golledge's loose living was a matterof
of public notoriety.
of public notoriety.
7. I caused Mr Golledge to be informed that charges of drunkenness
and immorality were alleged against him in the letter herewith dated
21st November 1864. Mr Golledge's reply will be found dated 21st
November 1864. I thereupon called Mr Golledge before the Executive
Council, and the evidence herewith was given and recorded in his
presence on the 23rd November.
8. The Acting Attorney General and the Treasurer being of opinion
that it was not sufficient tojustify
justify Mr Golledge's suspension, Mr
Golledge was again summoned to attend before the Council on the 29th
November 1864 when the further evidence herewith was given in his
presence.
justify Mr Golledge's suspension, Mr
Golledge was again summoned to attend before the Council on the 29th
November 1864 when the further evidence herewith was given in his
presence.
9. Mr Golledge had been duly summoned to attend the Council at 11
o'clock A.M. but did not arrive till 11.30.
10. The evidence being completed and Mr Golledge directed to
withdraw, I put the question to the Council whether Mr Golledge was
then sober, and you willobserve
observe from the Minutes (page 55) that
they unanimously decided that
he was not.
observe from the Minutes (page 55) that
they unanimously decided that
he was not.
11. This decision, the correctness of which cannot be doubted, of
course rendered further proceeding unnecessary, and I have therefore
suspended Mr Golledge from pay and duty pending your decision.
12. I have made careful inquiries regarding Mr Golledge's
antecedents, which leave little doubt in my mind that he has been for
a long time addicted to drunken and dissolute habits of life,and
and
that his want of personal respectability wholly disqualifies him for
any place in the public service.
and
that his want of personal respectability wholly disqualifies him for
any place in the public service.
13. In conclusion I may add that each and all of those who have
given evidence against Mr Golledge are highly respectable persons
and above any suspicion of untruth or bad animus against him.
14. I have invited Mr Golledge to make any statement or defence he
sees necessary in writing which I will transmit in a separateDespatch
Despatch if received in time for the next Mail.
Despatch if received in time for the next Mail.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Approve the suspension of Mr Golledge, & authorize dismissal of him from the Colonial Service.
Approve the suspension of Mr Golledge, & authorize dismissal of him from the Colonial Service.
ABd
13 Feby
Mr Blackwood
I should wait until the receipt of the next mail in order to see whether Mr Golledge will by that time have offered a further defence. If not, I should answer as above proposed. Wait one mail.
I should wait until the receipt of the next mail in order to see whether Mr Golledge will by that time have offered a further defence. If not, I should answer as above proposed. Wait one mail.
TFE
14/2
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, Henry Wakeford, Acting Colonial Secretary, to Richard Golledge,
Acting Gold Commissioner, 21 November 1864, stating that word had
been received of his disreputable conduct, and giving him an
opportunity to defend himself.
Footnotes
- Mr. Golledge has not offered any statement of defence up to this date. 8th December 1864 -
A.E. Kennedy