Colonial Despatches

Doctor Charles Forbes was a medical doctor who lead a mineral survey of Harrison Lake and Harrison River in 1860 aboard the Topaze. His survey sought to discover whether the rumours of copper and silver in the region were founded.1 Forbes discovered that the district was in fact rich with both minerals, and, according to James Douglas, he recommended that encouragement should be given to Companies for the purpose of working silver mines, [as] they cannot be worked advantageously by individual enterprise.2

• 1. Douglas to Newcastle, 9 October 1860, 11678, CO 60/8, 196.
• 2. Enclosure in, Douglas to Newcastle, 9 November 1860, 91, CO 60/8, 287.

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