No. 80, Legislative

I have the honor to transmit copies of the Acts named in the margin

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which passed during the last Session of the Legislature of this
Colony, accompanied by the remarks of the Attorney General thereon.

Several of these Acts are in my opinion erroneous in policy and
manifestly faulty in detail, which is no more than can be reasonably
expected from the peculiar constitution of the Legislative Assembly
without a professional man or public officer responsible for the
drafting or carriage of any Bill.

No 9 "An Act to amend the manner of taking the Verdict of a Jury in
Civil Cases," was imperatively called for in consequence of the
frequent failure of justice, and I would be glad to see it extended
to criminal cases as well.

The late Attorney General informed me that he had indicted 15 persons
at different times for murder without having obtained a single
conviction.

The free use of revolver and bowie knife in the neighbouring
territory undoubtedly influences the minds of some classes in this
community, and almost insures one or more sympathizers on a Jury.

Nos 10 and 11, imposing import duties on certain stock and
carcasses, carrots, potatoes, turnips, cabbages or other roots, while
all the luxeries of life are admitted duty free, are in my opinion
opposed alike to common sense and sound policy—enhancing the price
of the necessaries of life while luxeries are untaxed.

One of the results of the latter Act is that a person taking his own
horse from Victoria to Cariboo (or any other place in British
Columbia short of it) is taxed for his horse, saddle and bridle on
landing in British Columbia, and is again taxed on his relanding them
in Vancouver Island.

The remaining Acts do not require any particular remark from me.