Colonial Despatches

I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 20th Ultimo, transmitting by direction of Mr Secretary Cardwell, a Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia inclosing an Ordinance passed in the Month of May last, and entitled No 17 "An Ordinance for the protection of Inventions" together with the observations of the Local Attorney General upon it: and also a printed paper containing abstractof of replies to a despatch calling for information as to the form of application to be made by persons desirous of obtaining patent rights in the Colonies.

In reply to the inquiry contained in your letter, I am to request that Mr Cardwell may be informed that My Lords observe in the communications from the Governor and the Attorney General of British Columbia, that the Ordinance in question (which does not give the duration of the patent right, or provide the formalities which are to precede the grant of a patent) is regarded by the Local Authorities as an imperfect measure, having been passed to meet an immediate emergency in anticipation of more extended litigation on the subject:and and that under these circumstances My Lords do not see reason why the Ordinance should not be left to its intended operation.