Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 6th instant, with a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia enclosing among other things, a set of Rules and Regulations issued under the "Gold Fields Act 1859" for the management of Ditches and water privileges in connection with roads and other works.

2. These rules provide that any person engaged in the construction of a road or work may with the sanction of the Gold Commissioner, divert or interfere with any ditch or water privilege—that the compensation to be paid for such interference shall be settled by the Gold Commissioner who shall decide without appeal all cases where the amount given by the decision shall be less than £200. In cases where the amount given is above £200 an appeal is to be allowed to the SupremeCourt Court. The regulations further provide that Owners of Ditches and water privileges to maintain proper culverts for carrying off surplus water—to keep the ditches in proper repair—and to be liable for any damage caused by their giving way.

3. I have to report that I see no reason to object to these regulations, and I would recommend that they should be approved.