No. 37

I have the honor to transmit the copy of a memorandum which explains
itself.

My attention was drawn to the fact that a small detached rock upon
which a Lighthouse is built at the entrance of Esquimalt Harbour
(called Fisgard Island) was claimed to be private property and I
therefore instituted an inquiry into the tenure by which it was held
by the government.

It will appear from the accompanying memorandum of the Treasurer that
the sum of £150 was paid to Mr W.A.G. Young, the Colonial Secretary,
by the
Surveyor General on 20th December 1859 "being the purchase
money for Fisgard Island", and that no conveyance to the Government
has been executed.

I cannot ascertain any reason why this money should have been paid
till the conveyance was completed. The Surveyor General informs me
that the money was paid by order of the Colonial Secretary.

Mr Young is now in England and I would recommend that he should be
called upon to execute a legal conveyance of this Island.

I do not know, nor can I discover any record of the basis of this
purchase by the government, but it appears to me questionable that
a bare rock devoid of all verdure beyond low water mark could be
claimed as other than belonging to the Crown. Its intrinsic value is
certainly merely nominal.

Captain Richards R.N., Hydrographer to the Navy can probably afford
information on the subject.