No. 89

I have had the honor to receive your despatch No. 6 of
18th February, informing me that Mr Trutch reports a
sale of his interest in the Public Works in the Colony and
directing me upon his producing any evidence requisite to
satisfy me of the completion of the transaction, to continue
to take advantage of his Services in an Office for which he
has been described to possess valuable qualifications.

2. I have now the honor to forward Copy of the correspondence
which passed between Mr Trutch and myself on the subject referred
to in your despatch on his return to the Colony as well as the
opinion of the Members of the Executive Council upon Mr Trutch's
proposal to transfer his right in the Alexandra Bridge to his
brother. You will observe that I have thought it better to
allow Mr Trutch openly to possess an interest in one of the
competing roads to the mines, rather than sanction an arrangement
which would have appeared a deception upon the Public.

3. The position in which Mr Trutch is placed must necessarily
prevent my availing myself of his Services to the extent which I
would do if he were independent of local influences, yet I
see no alternative other than to place Mr Trutch in possession
of the Office to which he was appointed by your predecessors. I
have no one now residing in the Colony on whom I could temporarily
confer the Appointment of Surveyor General.

4. I think that those who recommended Mr Trutch for the
Office he holds should have mentioned his peculiar position in
regard to the Public Works of this Colony.

*

His appointment has
caused considerable inconvenience and one of the most important
situations in the Colony has been, with the exception of a few
months, in abeyance ever since I have administered the Government.