Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to forward an Authenticated and two plain Copies of an Ordinance of the present Session of the Legislature of this Colony, entitled; No. 4 An Ordinance toapply apply the sum of seven hundred and twenty two thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars and five cents ($722,144 5/100), out of the General Revenue of the Colony of British Columbia and its Dependencies to the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty six. I add the Report of the Attorney General.

2. In this Colony where the settled population is small and the Revenue to a very large extent depending on the yearly immigrationof of Miners attracted to our Gold fields, it is almost impossible, at the early period of the year at which the Estimates are laid before the Council, to frame anything approaching a correct Estimate of the Revenue. The prospects of the Colony are at this moment brighter than I have yet seen them and I am very confident the receipts will exceed the Estimate.

3. The Estimates contemplate a very large reduction in the expenditure of 1866 when comparedwith with previous years. In framing these estimates my great desire has been to bring the expenditure of the Colony within the Revenue and not to trust as heretofore to temporary Loans for the prosecution of Public Works.

4. It is needless for me to state that a far larger expenditure could be incurred on Public Works with great advantage to the Colony if the Revenue would justify it. The Public Works Iintend intend undertaking during the present Season are only those of the most pressing importance.

5. Under the Civil List I have made reductions to the extent of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), I enclose a copy of the Estimates accompanied by Remarks upon the various alterations and reductions.