No. 45

Rumours have recently reached me that some of the Assistant
Gold Commissioners, and their Subordinates, have more or less
directly or indirectly, entered into Mining speculations; that
is to say have become personally interested in Mining affairs,
either directly by taking up a mining claim, or by purchasing an
interest in a claim, or indirectly by investing money in claims
upon behalf of relatives or friends.

2. I have not yet been able to ascertain the entire truth of
these reports, but I much fear, from the fact of one of the
Subordinate Officers having suddenly resigned his situation, and
immediately afterwards become the avowed possessor of a rich claim
at Carribou, that they are not altogether destitute of foundations.
I, therefore, have not hesitated to address a Circular to such
Officers, and, generally, to Officers throughout the Colony,
distinctly and peremptorily forbidding any such practices.

3. I am well aware that the temptations offered to Officers
in a gold producing Country are of no ordinary character, and
the more especially were they so, during the past season at
Carribou, for with the famine prices of provisions, flour at one
time being upwards of Six Shillings a pound!—it has been a hard
struggle with some of them to procure the bare means of subsistence,
notwithstanding their apparent high rate of salary, but, still, I
can entertain no doubt of the serious evil which may result in
such a Country from Officers being in any way mixed up with matters,
which, sooner or later, can hardly fail to be affected, one way
or the other, by the decisions which they may find themselves
called upon to give, and I have therefore imperatively laid down
the rule that Officers must surrender their interests in such
speculations, or abandon the service of the Government.

4. I enclose a copy of the Circulars which I have caused to
be issued, and, as I doubt not that the question has arisen in
other Colonies somewhat similarly circumstanced to British Columbia.
I should feel thankful if Your Grace would favor me with your
views thereupon, and advise me how far, in a new Colony, it may
be just for a Government to prevent its Servants from investing
their Savings in the enterprises which such a Country offers.