No. 71, Legislative

I have the honor of transmitting herewith the following
Acts with the accompanying reports of the Attorney General
for Her Majesty's approval. vizt:

No 10 The "Alexandra Bridge Toll Act 1863"

No 11 "New Westminster Municipal Extension Act 1863"

No 12 "Crown Officers Salaries Act 1863"

2. The Attorney General's reports are so full and precise
that there remains little for me to add in regard to the
principle or objects of these Acts; I would however draw
your Grace's attention to the unusual condition in the
"Alexandra Bridge Toll Act" granting to the Contractor rights of
tolls on goods passing under as well as over the Bridge.

3. I have to offer in explanation that the "Fraser"
though always dangerous, and from Yale upwards to Alexandria,
not continuously navigable at any season, is partially so
every year for a few weeks, at the low stage of water in
spring and winter. Goods in considerable quantities have
always been forwarded by water from Yale to Lytton at that
season, both on account of the cheapness of water carriage
compared with the cost of transport by the former mountain
trails—and of the insufficiency of means by land carriage
alone, to supply the demands of the trade.

4. In negotiating with the Bridge Contractor he represented
that the Tolls we proposed to grant on goods passing over
the Bridge would not yield an adequate remuneration for the
outlay—and positively objected to incur the expense, unless
all goods whether passing by land or water-borne should be
charged with Toll, and there was no alternative but to yield
the point—or to give up the Bridge, which is an indispensable
adjunct to the road. I was further influenced by the consideration,
that the completion of the carriage road would cause so great
a reduction in the cost, and so much increase the facilities
of transport that the concession would not be felt as a
sacrifice, and that together with the dangerous character of
the River, and the distressing loss of life and property
continually occurring from accidents in the rapids, will I
should think altogether remove the inducements to forward
goods by water, a view in which I am fully supported by public
opinion in the Colony.

5. The New Westminster Municipal Extension Act No 3
was passed at the instance of a majority of the inhabitants
possessing lots in Suburban Blocks V, VI, and VII, their object
being to enforce, as a general measure, under the Municipal
regulations the felling and removal of the trees and Brush-wood
on these lots—a measure which will conduce to the comfort of
all concerned, and relieve them from the danger arising in dry
weather, from conflagrations of the forest.

6. "The Crown Officers Salaries Act 1863" has been prepared
in conformity with the instructions contained in Your Grace's
Despatch "Separate" of the 15th June last.