No. 28

With reference to my Despatch No 19 of the 6th June relative to
the frauds committed at the Custom House of Victoria, I have now
to communicate for your information, that the Attorney General
of British Columbia, and the Crown Solicitor of Vancouvers
Island who are conducting the case on behalf of the Crown, have
ascertained defalcations of revenue to the extent of Five
Hundred Pounds (£500), and though there is no real doubt that
the sum in question has been embezzled by Angelo, they find a
difficulty in establishing legal proof of that fact, and have
put off the trial from time to time, in hopes of finding
evidence to convict him.

2. In the mean time I have dismissed Mr Anderson late
Collector of the Customs, from office, on the ground that, the
many clerical errors found in the Custom House Books and
accounts and the extensive frauds committed on the revenue, by a
dishonest servant, for several months in succession, shew a
carelessness of superintendence and a remissness in management
on his part, that is altogether inexcusable.

3. I therefore feel compelled through a sense of public duty
thus to mark in the strongest manner my disapprobation of his
conduct, in the hope that it may serve as an example for the
present and as a protection for the future.

4. I beg also to remark that Mr Anderson is a relative of Sir
James Outram, and a gentleman who has uniformly maintained a
high character for intelligence and integrity.