Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a Proclamation, which I lately caused to be issued at this place, declaring the rights of the Crown, in respect to Gold found in its natural place of deposit, within the limits of Queen Charlottes Island, and forbidding all persons, to dig, or disturb the soil in search, of Gold until authorised in that behalf by Her Majesty's Colonial Government, and also a copy of the regulations since published setting forth the terms on which Licences will be issued to legalize the search for Gold, on payment of a reasonable fee, the conditions being nearly similar to those prescribed by the Governor General of New South Wales, on the discovery of Gold in that Colony.

The most important difference, is a reduction of twenty shillings in the Licence fee, which I have fixed at ten shillings a month.

The reasons which led me to consider the expediency of that reduction, were in the first place, the fact that the true beds of Gold, on Queen Charlotte's Island, are yet unknown, and the returns have been consequently small and uncertain, and obtained at much labour and expense, and secondly because there will be great difficulty in collecting the dues, against the feeling of the Miners, and it is therefore advisable to make them as moderate in amount, and as easy as possible in the mode of payment, at least until Mining becomes a remunerative employment, and there is proof of the extent, and productiveness of the Gold deposits, when the fee may be gradually increased, in such a manner, however, as not to be higher than the persons engagedin in mining can readily pay.

I hope that those measures may meet with the approval of her Majesty's Government, and that I will soon be favoured with your instructions, on such points, as your Grace may consider necessary.