No. 36

I have the honor of transmitting herewith the Copy of an Act Entitled

An Act to provide for the Administration of Oaths in the House of
Assembly, and the Production of Evidence before Committees of the
Same,

which has been duly passed by the Legislature of this Colony, and is
now submitted for Her Majesty's Approval.

2. Before the passage of the Act, doubts existed as to the power of
the Clerk, and Chairman of Election Committees of the House of
Assembly to administer Oaths or Affirmations necessary for the
efficient discharge of their duties, which this Act is intended to
remove. It authorises the exercise of the same powers as are by Law
conferred upon and possessed by similar officers of the House of
Commons.

3. The Act as originated in the House of Assembly was extravagant in
its claims, and was therefore Entirely remodelled in Council; and
will in its present form, I trust, not be found exceptionable in
principle.