No. 24

In my Despatch No 19 of 22nd February I submitted for Your
Lordship's consideration the propriety of transferring the Crown
fund of Vancouver Island to the General Revenue. Before that
transfer takes place I would ask Your Lordship to permit me to
apply a sum not exceeding (£400) Four Hundred Pounds to the
purchase of a small quantity of necessary Furniture for the
Government House at New Westminster. The House is a good one,
but if it is altogether disused it will soon fall out of repair,
and it is not habitable at present for want of furniture. It is
desirable for many reasons apart from personal recreation or
convenience, that the Governor should be able occasionally to
reside for a few weeks or months at New Westminster, which is
the Chief Town of the Mainland and the former seat of Government
of the United Colony. The residents there would regard it as a
compliment that the Governor should sometimes visit them, and
excursions to the Upper Country can be more easily made from
thence.