Colonial Despatches

I have had the honor to receive the Duke of Buckingham's despatch No. 105 of 7th December 1868.

2. I see with pleasure that His Grace has beenpleased pleased to approve of the Estimates for 1868.

3. As regards the Instructions conveyed to the Governor of the Straits Settlements as to the preparation of the Estimates and Financial Returns—copy of which is sent for my guidance so far as they may be applicable to this Colony—I venture to observe that they are not applicable to British Columbia.It It would be impossible for us with the present staff of accountant Officers to furnish all the elaborate Statements required under the Despatch in question. Even if they could be supplied without additional assistance, the distance from, and the want of regular communication with some of the District Collectorates, would render them valueless as a guideto to the financial operations of this Government, from the fact that they could only be completed months after the date they would represent.

4. In Colonies, such as the Mauritius, where it must be difficult to Estimate the Revenue closely, as I perceive from the Comparative Statement for the Year 1865 annexed to His Grace's despatch No 105, where theRevenue Revenue exceeded that Estimated by forty four thousand pounds (£44,000), monthly progress statements must be very useful.