Criticizes agreement with Bank of Bengal; issue of notes through its agency and that of other banks is contrary to instructions; asks Elgin to stop bill now going through to give Bank power to deal in exchanges; hopes Laing will soon depart; recommends Capt Tytler; is becoming annoyed at number o...
Has received Canning's letter of 4 March announcing scheme for Indian Medical Service is on its way; will postpone action on Indian Navy, and reclamation of land at Bombay until he has seen Canning and Sir George Clerk (retiring Governor of Bombay).
Explains why, despite disapproval of arrangement with Bank of Bengal, they will not overturn it, but asks Elgin to reverse policy as far as possible; bill allowing Bank to deal in exchanges will be disallowed if it passes; risk of allowing Bank to invest Govt cash balances in Govt securities; do ...
Laing's defence of his estimate of troop numbers; cannot sanction Government of India's Contract Bill; is sending out (Sir) Henry Maine [to be Legal Member of Council].
Public men normally take away all private and semi-official correspondence; possible appointments to Elgin's Council – will discuss with Canning but would like Elgin's opinion; Wood will be in better position to write on many points after seeing Canning; complaint of oppression of ryots in Bengal...
Has seen Canning but not yet had enough conversation to write about usefully; question of relationship of Punjab Force to general Indian Army Command, and maintenance or suppression of native batteries there; agrees with Elgin on unseemliness of Indian Government conducting its internal debates i...
Sends draft despatch on waste lands and permanent settlement for Elgin's eyes only; it may not be passed – Wood wishes to discuss it with Canning before deciding.
Canning has liver attack; C-in-C should not absent himself too much from seat of government – there is danger anybody in such position will set up as independent power; opposes practice of Govt departments writing against each other; agrees Police are less dangerous force than native army; milita...