Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 81 of the 1st August enclosing a Report from the Acting Colonial Secretary upon the working of the Ordinance "to provide for the settlement of all outstanding questions relating to the sale of land for taxes in Vancouver Island."

It would seem from the Report that so far as regards the purchasers of the lands in question, no difficulty which cannot readily be surmounted has arisen, and none is anticipated; and further that no original owner of any of these lands has hitherto appeared or made any claim against the Government in respect of the illegal sale.

So far then the working of the Ordinance has been satisfactory, and though it is too soon to form any decided opinion as to whether this state of things will continue, yet under the very peculiarand and involved circumstances of the case, and looking to the strong recommendations of yourself and the Acting Colonial Secretary in favour of the measure, I have recommended that the Ordinance should receive Her Majesty's sanction, and I have now to convey to you Her Majesty's gracious confirmation and allowance of the same.