Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 6th instant,
with a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia
enclosing among other things, a set of Rules and Regulations
issued under the "Gold Fields Act 1859" for the management
of Ditches and water privileges in connection with roads and other works.

2. These rules provide that any person engaged in the
construction of a road or work may with the sanction of the
Gold Commissioner, divert or interfere with any ditch or
water privilege—that the compensation to be paid for such
interference shall be settled by the Gold Commissioner who
shall decide without appeal all cases where the amount
given by the decision shall be less than £200. In cases
where the amount given is above £200 an appeal is to be
allowed to the Supreme Court. The regulations further
provide that Owners of Ditches and water privileges to
maintain proper culverts for carrying off surplus water—to
keep the ditches in proper repair—and to be liable for
any damage caused by their giving way.

3. I have to report that I see no reason to object to
these regulations, and I would recommend that they should be approved.