No. 41

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 19 of the
10th of April last on the subject of the Assay Department in British
Columbia.

Her Majesty's government are prepared to sanction the continuance
for the present of the Assay Establishment at New Westminster with the
reduced staff of one Chief Assayer and one Assistant or operative
Melter. I have to request that you will furnish me with an annual
Return similar to that enclosed in your present despatch of the work
performed by the Assay Department in order that Her Majesty's Government
may have the materials necessary for reconsidering the question of
retaining the Establishment.