No. 11

I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Despatches No
79 of 5th August and No 90 of 9th September respecting an
application from the Bishop of British Columbia for payment by
the Crown Agents of a sum of £400 for assisting Female
Emigration to this Colony.

2. I very much regret the delay and inconvenience which have
arisen from the omission of my Predecessor to make the necessary
report to Your Lordship's Department in proper time. I was
myself quite ignorant of the whole matter until I received Your
Lordship's Despatches, and Mr Hankin the Colonial Secretary was
not aware that you had not been acquainted with what was
proposed by the local Government. It was, I am informed by the
late Governor's Private Secretary, the intention of Mr Seymour
to have reported the Scheme just before he sailed for the
Northwest Coast, but that he had not received the final report
from the Immigration Committee and decided therefore not to do
so until all arrangements had been definitely concluded.

3. I now forward a Memorandum upon the subject prepared by Mr
Hankin, and the Minutes of the proceedings of the Immigration
Board. I think the object in view is worthy of the assistance
which the Legislative Council desired to afford.