CO882-(1-2) — Page 380

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VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

A GOVERNOR was first appointed to this settlement in 1849, with power to pass laws in conjunction with a council, nominated by the Crown, and a general assembly. Its affairs are administered by himself and a council; the island not at present affording the materials for a representative assembly. The expenses of the government are entirely defrayed by the Hud- son's Bay Company, who, having had a grant of the island from the Crown for a certain number

of years, derive their revenues from the sale of land, the establishment of emigrants, and from the trade they carry on with the Indians. But this grant expires with the Company's license to trade with the Indians, which will terminate in 1859, having been granted in the year 1838 for a term of 21 years. When resumed by the Crown, the sums expended in the settlement for their premises, &c., will have to be repaid to the Company. Whether it would be advisable for the Government to take the island into its own hands, and dispossess the Company, is a question which has been debated without any definic result. It is certain that when the administra- tion is assumed by the Imperial Government it will have to resort to Parliament for an annual grant to support the civil establishment: at present no charge whatever is imposed on this country for that object. What the revenue and expenditure is we have no means of ascertaining The European population is small and the number of natives unknown.

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A. B.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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