No. 29
3rd April 1866
Sir,
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. 7 An OrdinancetoManuscript image to consolidate the Laws relating to Licences. I add the Report of the Attorney General.
2. The necessity for the introduction of this Bill by which the Revenue from this Source of taxation will be largely increased was occasioned by the repeal of the Gold Export Tax.
3. The compulsory mining Licence, I am fully aware, is open to objection and was found to work unsatisfactorily in theAustralianManuscript image Australian Colonies. In this instance however the circumstances are widely different. The Miners themselves have suggested this system of Taxation through their respective Mining Boards. In the neighbouring territory a similar Tax is in force at the higher rate of ten dollars per annum, the Miner has therefore no unsatisfactory comparison to draw as in the case of the Gold Export Tax.
4. While this Colony continuestoManuscript image to be dependent for a Mining population on the immigration from the Mines of California and Oregon, I am of opinion that any direct Tax it may be necessary to impose should be assimilated as far as practicable to the taxation to which they have been accustomed.
5. As regards the increase to the Trades Licenses I have heard no complaint that they will act with undue hardshiponManuscript image on any portion of the Community.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Arthur N. Birch
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
ABd 16 June
Sanction.
FR 16/6
WEF 18/6
EC 19
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
H.P.P. Crease, Attorney General, to Officer Administering the Government, 3 April 1866, reporting on the ordinance as per despatch.
Birch, Arthur Nonus to Cardwell, Edward 3 April 1866, CO 60:24, no. 5774, 189. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B66029.html.

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