Separate

I would venture to repeat to Your Grace the recommendation
made in my letter to Mr Secretary Cardwell, dated 17th Feby
1866, that power be given to me to appoint two unofficial
Gentlemen to be members of the Executive Council of this Colony
should such a proceeding be found necessary by me.

2. The matter has become more urgent now than when I last
wrote, in as much as the place of Treasurer has been abolished.
Possibly also if Her Majesty be advised to grant the permission
I solicit the official element in the Executive Council might
be restored to its usual force by my being permitted to place
the Police Magistrate of New Westminster in the vacant seat of
the Treasurer. It is extremely embarrassing to me under the
present financial depression to have to consult the Executive
Council as now constituted respecting the reduction in Salaries
which I think it expedient to make.

3. The time of Service of the unofficial members might be
limited, most conveniently perhaps, by the condition that they
should be members of the Legislative Council and that their functions
as confidential advisers should cease with every lapse of their
Legislative positions.