I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 39 dated the
               
31st March last, forwarding Copies of the 
British Columbia Act No. 16 of
               
1871, "to provide for a permanent civil list."  I have also received
               your further Despatch No. 45 of the 
8thApril April
 April enclosing a copy of a letter
               addressed to you[r] private Secretary by the Mayor of 
Victoria with a
               resolution against the Act passed at a public meeting held in that Town
               on the 
31st March last.
               
               Although I am not disposed to deny that there are advantages in
               placing the civil List on a more permanent footing than that of a money
               vote and looking to all the circumstances of the case I cannot disallow
               the Act by Her Majesty, I cannot but regret that such
an
 an occasion should
               have been taken to increase salaries.
               
               The necessary Order in Council will be forwarded as soon as it has
               passed the Council.