1844-06-05 — Page 1

5th June 1844

Present His Excellency the Governor

The Honorable Major General D'Aguilar

The Honorable Frederick Bruce

The Honorable Major Caine

A letter from Mr. Gordon Surveyor General applying on account of ill health for one year's leave of absence and enclosing Medical Certificates was read by the Clerk whereupon.

It was Resolved that it be complied with and that Mr. Cleverly be appointed to act in his absence and receive one half of the Salary of the Surveyor General.

A Report from the Surveyor General was read by the Clerk respecting the Tenders for a Court house received from Mr. Bowra and Mr. Hughesdon in reply to the Government Notification on the subject whereupon His Excellency signified his intention of personally inspecting Mr. Hughesdon's house. The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Gutzlaff addressed to the Colonial Secretary on the subject of the location of the Chinese Applicants for land whereupon. It was Resolved that Mr. Gutzlaff be informed that a locality has been fixed upon That the land must be disposed of by public auction and that security must be given by the Lessess for the proper performance of the Covenants in their leases.

The Clerk read a letter dated the

from Mr. Woosnam as Proprietor of the Canton bazaar complaining of the injury done to his Bazaar by the fall of loose earth consequent upon the levelling work now being carried on under the direction of Major Aldridge on the site on the new Military Barracks whereupon It was Resolved that the Secretary should write Mr. Woosnam a Letter informing him that the case shall be referred to the Supreme Court.

The Clerk read a Letter date the 17th of May ------ from the Surveyor general respecting an application from Mr. Duns a shopkeeper in Victoria requesting permission to have a fresh allotment of land in lieu of that which has been resumed by Government whereupon It was Resolved that a Lot of Land at the west end of the Queen's Road be given him upon his agreement to pay the difference in Rent between the Lot resumed and the one now offered him.

The non-efficient state of the Post Office was again taken into consideration whereupon It was Resolved that the Postmaster be called upon to send in a report in which he is to suggest a plan for communicating once a day with Check-chu and for one delivery of Letter daily in Victoria also that he be informed that His Excellency in Council had resolved to sanction his opening an account as a temporary measure and until a reference can be made to the Postmaster General in London, with the Postmasters of Calcutta and Madras in the name of this Government for the payment of the Inland Indian Postage on Letters to Bombay for England and that he be authorized to collect here such amount of postage as they may be liable to on being posted the money so collected to be paid into the hands of the Colonial Treasurer on the day following the Despatch of every mail. It was also Resolved that a Public notification be inserted in the Gazette to this effect.

A letter No. 1 of 22nd January 1844 was laid before the Council by the Honorable Major General D'Aguilar addressed by himself to His Excellency the late Governor on the subject of the formation of several new roads in this Colony. The late Governor in Council was understood to have entirely assented to the general propositions contained in that letter whereupon It was Resolved that the letter be referred to the Surveyor General for his report thereon with a view to the carrying out whichever plan may prove the most advisable.

The Honorable Major General D'Aguilar laid before the Council a memorandum for the better location of the Queen's Troops in this Colony and for the erection of a Hospital which was read by the Clerk and taken into consideration whereupon It was Resolved to refer it to the Surveyor General to report whether there is any objection to a compliance with the proposals contained in it for giving the ground now occupied by the Native Troops in Mat Huts at the back of the Battery to the use of the Military.

(signed) J. F. Davis

Read and approved

this 10th day of June 1844.

(signed) A. E. Shelley,

Clerk of the Council.