No. 62

I have the honour of transmitting herewith, the Copy of a
Proclamation issued by me on the 10th day of September last,
intituled "The Distillers Excise Act 1861," authorising and regulating
the distillation and manufacture of Spirits in British Columbia.

2. This Act is intended for the encouragement of domestic industry, and will furnish a profitable outlet for grain and other
agricultural products. It will also have the effect of diminishing
the quantity of Spirits imported from abroad, and, to protect the
public revenue from any serious loss thereby, a moderate duty of
two Shillings per gallon is to be charged on all spirits made within the Colony.

3. It is unnecessary to occupy Your Grace's time, or my own,
by comments on the character and objects of this Act, as it is
simply an adaptation of the Excise Act of Canada to the present
circumstances of British Columbia, and contains nothing new in principle, nor unusual in form; I therefore submit it without hesitation for Her Majesty's approval.