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All correspondence to be addressed:
The Commissioner,
R.C.M. Police.
Ottawa

10961

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Office of the Commissioner
Ottawa

Ref. No. 35D 1456-2-7-Q.13

1st February, 1936.

Your Excellency:

1. In answer to your letter of the 30th
January, 1936, it is desired to say that I recently
received a letter from Mr. Edward Shackleton with
respect to the proposal of Mr. Robert Bentham to continue
geological investigations in Ellesmeresland.

2. On the 13th January, 1936, a reply was
sent to Mr. Shackleton informing him that I had discussed
his proposal informally with the North West
Territories Council, who received it favourably, and
the general opinion appeared to be that by some such
co-operation very useful work could be done.

3. From the Police point of view, we should
have no objection to Mr. Bentham being attached to our
Craig Harbour Detachment, providing, of course, that the
necessary financial and other arrangements can be made.

4. Mr. Shackleton intended to make an
official application to the Department of the Interior,
and I therefore told him that there was nothing more
we could do except to await his official application
giving greater details respecting dogs, equipment,
supplies, etc., and also further particulars about Mr.
Bentham's scientific qualifications.

5. Expeditions to the Canadian Arctic are
usually considered by the North West Territories Council.
The Deputy Minister of the Interior is the Chairman of
that Council and is also Commissioner of the North West
Territories. If, therefore, you will kindly take up the
matter with the Minister of the Interior, the whole question
will be given further consideration.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
[signature] J.H. MacBrien
J.H. MacBrien
Commissioner.

His Excellency the Rt. Hon.
Baron Tweedsmuir, G.C.M.G., C.H.,
Governor General of Canada,
Government House,
Ottawa, Ont.