Powles to Newcastle

I am Chairman of the Port Phillip & Colonial Gold Mining
Company, established under Royal Charter, & now working in the
Colony of Victoria.

This Company is restricted by its Charter to the Australian
Colonies, but some of its members are desirous of examining the
question of Mining, on a systematic scale in the Colony of
British Columbia.

For this purpose, they contemplate sending out a competent
person to examine into the exact state of affairs, before
incurring the expense of forming an establishment.

But it is essential for us to know the conditions on which
Leases of Mineral Ground will be granted in the Colony.

May I therefore take the liberty to ask the favor of your
Grace, to be informed on this point.

I should hardly have ventured to take this liberty, but that
I apprehend that it may be considered desirable, on public grounds,
to encourage the formation of establishments which may carry on
the business of mining in the regular manner in which it is conducted
in this country.