Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 39 dated the 31st March last, forwarding Copies of the British Columbia Act No. 16 of 1871, "to provide for a permanent civil list." I have also received your further Despatch No. 45 of the 8thApril April enclosing a copy of a letter addressed to you[r] private Secretary by the Mayor of Victoria with a resolution against the Act passed at a public meeting held in that Town on the 31st March last.

Although I am not disposed to deny that there are advantages in placing the civil List on a more permanent footing than that of a money vote and looking to all the circumstances of the case I cannot disallow the Act by Her Majesty, I cannot but regret that suchan an occasion should have been taken to increase salaries.

You will inform Mr. Robertson that the resolutions forwarded by him have been carefully considered by me but that looking to all the circumstances of the case, I have not thought it my duty to advise Her Majesty to withhold her assent from the Bill.

The necessary Order in Council will be forwarded as soon as it has passed the Council.