No. 34

I have the honor to transmit to you for your information and
guidance the accompanying copies of a correspondence with the War
Department which has resulted in the adoption of measures for dispensing
with the further services of the Detachment of Royal Engineers employed
in British Columbia.

The receipt since the correspondence was closed of your despatch
No. 24 of the 22nd of April has confirmed the expediency of the
decision.

As the Royal Engineers are to be withdrawn or discharged I have not
thought it necessary to request Colonel Moody to continue his services
as Commissioner of Crown Lands. His appointment to that Office was not
conferred upon him as a permanent one, and on the removal of the Troops
who went out under his command, I consider it best to relieve him from
his Civil Office to which I shall before long name a successor.
Enclosed is a copy of a letter in which I have announced to
Colonel Moody his relief from his Civil Appointment.

I trust that you may not be exposed to inconvenience by a
difficulty of finding suitable persons on the spot to fulfil the
surveying and Engineering duties which have been performed by the Royal
Engineers, and I shall be glad to receive an early report from you on
the manner in which you propose to supply their place, as well as on the
question whether you would wish to have any persons sent out from
England for some of the required services.