No. 112

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the
25th of October, No. 63, reporting your appointment of Mr. Arthur I. Bushby to the recently created office of "Registrar General" of Lands in
British Columbia.

On referring to the return of appointments in British Columbia to
31st of December 1860, I find that Mr. Bushby's salary as Registrar of the Supreme Court is £300 per annum, but you do not mention, when reporting your selection of this Gentleman for the office of Registrar
General, (to which a Salary of £500 a year is attached) whether it is
intended to relieve him from his office in the Supreme Court, or whether
you propose that he should hold the two situations with a combined
income of £800 per annum. If this latter be your intention, I am
decidedly of opinion that the Salary would be excessive. In the present early stage of Registration in British Columbia, whether of Lands or of
deeds in the Supreme Court, I cannot doubt that the business may very
well be performed by the same person, with a Salary not exceeding the
whole £500 per annum. If Mr. Bushby accepts these combined offices on
these terms, I shall not object to confirm your nomination of him. If he
refuses them you will report to me his refusal in order that some
different arrangement may be made, making such provisional arrangements
as you can, at an expense not exceeding the rate of £300 per annum.

I observe that the Proclamation requires the Registrar of Lands to
appoint a Deputy Registrar who may perform the duties of the Office, and receive a Salary not exceeding £300 per annum.

I shall be glad to be informed whether such an officer is necessary
for the Execution of the provisions of the Law, and, if so, whether the duties can be performed for a less sum than £300 per annum.