Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to forward an authenticated and two plain copies of an Ordinance of the present Session of the Legislature of this Colony, entitled: No. 7 An Ordinanceto to consolidate the Laws relating to Licences. I add the Report of the Attorney General.

2. The necessity for the introduction of this Bill by which the Revenue from this Source of taxation will be largely increased was occasioned by the repeal of the Gold Export Tax.

3. The compulsory mining Licence, I am fully aware, is open to objection and was found to work unsatisfactorily in theAustralian Australian Colonies. In this instance however the circumstances are widely different. The Miners themselves have suggested this system of Taxation through their respective Mining Boards. In the neighbouring territory a similar Tax is in force at the higher rate of ten dollars per annum, the Miner has therefore no unsatisfactory comparison to draw as in the case of the Gold Export Tax.

4. While this Colony continuesto to be dependent for a Mining population on the immigration from the Mines of California and Oregon, I am of opinion that any direct Tax it may be necessary to impose should be assimilated as far as practicable to the taxation to which they have been accustomed.

5. As regards the increase to the Trades Licenses I have heard no complaint that they will act with undue hardshipon on any portion of the Community.