No. 68

I have had the honor of receiving Your Grace's Despatch
No 41 of the 31st July last, containing the decision of
Her Majesty's Government in respect to the continuance of the
Assay Establishment at New Westminster.

2. In accordance with the instructions conveyed by Your
Grace, I have directed that the staff be reduced to one Chief
Assayer and one Assistant or operative Melter, from and after
the 1st January 1864.

3. I deferred making the reduction until that date in
consequence of the present being the close of the gold mining
Season, and the only period of the year when the services of
the whole Staff can, probably, be remuneratively employed.

4. I have given instructions for the preparation of the
Annual Return of the work performed by the Department as
required by Your Grace.