Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Birch, Arthur Nonus to
Cardwell, Edward 3 April 1866, CO 60:24, no. 5774, 189.
Abstract
Birch, Arthur Nonus to
Cardwell, Edward 3 April 1866, CO 60:24, no. 5774, 189.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
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 Ordinanceto
to consolidate the Laws relating to
Licences.
I add the Report of the Attorney General.
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 theAustralian
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.
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 continuesto
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.
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 hardshipon
on
any portion of the Community.
on
any portion of the Community.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
H.P.P. Crease, Attorney General, to Officer Administering the
Government, 3 April 1866, reporting on the ordinance as per despatch.