No. 40

I have received your despatch No. 38 of the 15th of June relative
to the practise and accounts of the Probate Court of Vancouver Island.

The neglect, disorder and dishonesty which have been allowed to
exist in an office so closely connected with the Supreme Court cannot be
otherwise than a subject of serious dissatisfaction and regret. I
recognise with pleasure however the patience and intelligence with which
the Board of Enquiry have investigated this painful affair in spite of
obstacles thrown in their way by an Officer who ought on every account
to have been anxious that the delinquencies of his subordinates should
be fully explained and that he himself should be cleared from all
responsibility for them.

The new Chief Justice having left this country for Vancouver Island
I trust his arrival in the Colony will enable you to place on a better
footing the offices connected with the Supreme Courts, in one of which I
observe that a fresh scandal has occurred.