No. 45

I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's despatch
Vancouver Island, No. 25, of 14th Decr 1866, calling upon
me for a report upon an application made by Mr Samuel Barfield
in behalf of Messrs Stewart, Meldrum & Co and of Mr
Mackean for a grant of certain mineral lands on the North West
Coast of Vancouver Island.

2. I have no personal knowledge of the Affair, but I enclose
a report furnished by Mr Pearse, late Surveyor General of
Vancouver Island and now Deputy General of British Columbia

3. I propose making myself better acquainted with Vancouver
Island and its affairs generally as soon as the Legislative
Session shall have come to a close. Nothing can however be done
in this particular case until the Island shall have been finally
transferred from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Crown.