No. 35

On the Union of the two Colonies of British Columbia and
Vancouver Island and the extraordinary financial depression into
which both had been allowed to fall, it became necessary to make
considerable reductions in the Public Establishments.

The Official Staff of Vancouver Island has suffered most
inasmuch as it was abolished by the Act of Parliament which
brought about Union, but in one or two cases I have acted upon the
authority given me in Your Lordship's letter of the 14th of
September 1866, and effected such reductions in the staff of
Public Officers on the Mainland as the financial depression required.

2. Among the Gentlemen who lost Office is Mr Charles
Franks, appointed as Treasurer by the late Duke of Newcastle.

*

It would be rather an abuse of terms to speak of Mr Franks'
Services to the Colony in the very light duties he has
had to perform, yet he has come to British Columbia on the
faith of a permanent appointment and he has had nothing to say,
beyond drawing a considerable Salary, to bringing the Colony
to its present wretched financial condition.

3. Although I do not consider Mr Franks as a valuable
public officer on account of his infirmity of temper there may
be situations which he is qualified to fill. He has received a
good education and is not deficient in quickness of apprehension.

4. As a Compensation for the loss of an Office, to which in
my candid opinion he ought never to have been appointed I have
offered Mr Franks the amount of his passage to England and
three months full pay. He has not drawn either. Should Your
Lordship think fit to bestow this allowance or something higher
upon Mr Franks, Your order upon the Colonial Agents will of
course meet the case.

5. After lingering long in the Colony Mr Franks suddenly
departed without giving me any notice and thus it came about
that he went home unaccompanied by any despatch from me.