Colonial Despatches

Continuing the subject of my Despatch No 7 dated 30th January 1866 by this Mail, I am enabled, in consequence of the detention of the Mail Steamer by stress of weather, to transmit further papers containing my Message to the Legislative Assembly in reference to their action on the annual Estimates submitted to them, andthe the proceedings of the Assembly thereon.

I will not on the present occasion trouble you with any lengthened remarks on a subject as yet incomplete, though I deem it my duty to keep you informed of my own proceedings that I may receive your instructions and be corrected if I have fallen into any error of judgment.

I will not attempt to analyse the debate now submitted to you. It must be read to be appreciated. The desire of the Assembly to legislateand and govern without reference to the other branches of the Legislature is very clear.

The impossibility of conciliating the present majority of the House or of removing their non-existent grievances is too apparent, short of the surrender of all it is my duty to guard into the hands of a few I fear very unscrupulous men. One of the leaders of this party is already known to the authorities at the Colonial Office.

By what process the Assemblywill will rectify the state of the finances is not very clear, but the proposal to abolish the real estate tax and lower the rate of licences to sell liquor in a small town where there are 85 public houses and when the receipts from these sources form the bulk of the present Revenue, seems to me a very insane proceeding, the more expecially coupled with the proposition for effecting a loan which I feel confident could notbe be obtained, and which I am sure the other Branch of the Legislature would not sanction. I do not believe in the probability or possibility of carrying these measures—I apprehend they are put forward at this time solely with a view to obtain popularity among the classes whose interests they affect, and that purpose once served the matter will be left as it is.

I enclose a printed copy of the annual Estimates, and a manuscript copy of the Estimates asamended amended by the Assembly in which many Resolutions on various subjects are embodied—and also a Statement showing the additions made to the Estimates by the Legislative Assembly.

I have only in conclusion to express a hope that on a perusal of these documents you will be of opinion that I have not resisted these encroachments before it became my duty to do so, and that I have not been wantingin in courtesy and forbearance in my communications with the Legislative Assembly.

In perusing the debates which I enclose I would remark that Mr De Cosmos M.L.A. is owner, and Mr McClure M.L.A., editor of the "Brtish Colonist" newspaper.