2110-7-8-20

[T.A. Crerar]

[image: Crest of Minister of the Interior Canada]

[Mrs Killick]

Ottawa, February 17th, 1936.

My dear Lord Tweedsmuir,

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th instant, in which you suggest that the most favourable consideration possible to given to the application of Mr. Robert Bentham, who accompanied the recent Edward Shackleton Expedition to North Ellesmere Land and now wishes to continue his geological investigations in Ellesmere Island, making his headquarters with the Police Detachment at Craig Harbour. Unfortunately there has been some delay in replying.

While the official application has not been received, I understand that Mr. Shackleton' s suggestion on Mr. Bentham' s behalf was discussed informally at a recent meeting of the Northwest Territories Council and that it was the general opinion that by co-operation along the lines suggested useful work could be done.

As you are aware, it is necessary in order to safeguard British sovereignty in these remote areas that administrative acts should be performed and exploration and investigation extended. However, at the time Sir James MacBrien introduced the subject he was not in a position to say what financial and other arrangements Mr. Bentham had in mind. It was suggested that the information required by the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police respecting dogs, equipment and supplies, and the information required by the Northwest Territories Council as to Mr. Bentham' s scientific qualifications should be forwarded along with the application. It is understood that on the 13th January last Sir James MacBrien sent advice to this effect to Mr. Shackleton.

You may rest assured that as soon as the application is received here it will be dealt with promptly and that you will be advised.

Your sincerely,

T.A. Crerar

His Excellency The Right Honourable Baron Tweedsmuir of Elsfield, G.C.M.G., C.H., OTTAWA.