Colonial Despatches

I have had the honor to receive Your despatch No. 4 of the 30th July last conveying Her Majesty's sanction to the Supply Ordinances Nos 4 and 11 of 1866, and forwarding a copy of a letter from theLords Lords Commissioners of the Treasury having general reference to the Colonial Expenditure.

2. The Lords of the Treasury desire to be furnished with an explanation of the large difference between the estimated expenditure under the head of Administration of Justice in the Estimates for 1866, as against the actual expenditure of 1864, and also as to the discrepancy inthe the amount voted under the head of Transport.

3. In reply I have the honor to state that the large expenditure incurred during the year 1864 in the expeditions against the Chilicoten Indians was partially brought to account in the Supplementary Estimates of that year under the Head "Administration of Justice." The cost to the Colony of maintaining a force ofone one hundred and fifty Volunteers in the field for over three months exceeded £20,000.

4. The amount appearing in the Estimates for the present year is sufficient to cover the ordinary Expenditure incurred in the Administration of Justice.

5. The discrepancy in the amount inserted in the Estimates and that appropriated in the Ordinance under the Head of "Transport" arises fromthe the Vote for travelling Allowances having been reduced in the Legislative Council by $1000, when the Estimates were submitted for the consideration of the Legislature. The Council were of opinion that the completion of the roads to the mining districts justified a reduction under this head as against the Estimates of previous years.

6. The financial Returns required by their Lordshipswere were transmitted in my despatch No. 50 of the 9th July last.