No. 162

I have the honor to forward for Your Lordship's consideration a
Duplicate Copy of a Letter from the Attorney General,
representing the difficulty which is experienced with respect to
the issue of valid Crown Grants in a number of cases where
persons had purchased land in Vancouver Island from the Hudson's
Bay Company prior to the revocation by the Crown of the Grant to
them, and had not completed the payment of the purchase money at
that time, and have since paid the remaining instalments to the
local Government.

2. The Attorney General suggests that the Hudson's Bay Company
may be asked to transfer to the Crown the outstanding legal
estate in all lands sold by them for Colonization purposes in
the Victoria District of the Island where no Title has been
given by the Company; in order that valid and effectual Crown
Grants may be given to the purchasers.

3. Mr Phillippo has fully explained the reasons for regarding
this course as necessary, and I need not trouble Your Lordship
with further observations on the subject.