No. 9

A Notice of Action given to Lieutenant Verney, Commanding
Her Majesty's Ship "Grappler," for the alleged illegal seizure
of a vessel suspected of smuggling, raised the question as to
the limits of the respective Colonies of British Columbia and
Vancouver Island in the Gulf of Georgia. As the one Government
is supported mainly by heavy Customs duties, and the other by
direct taxation, the matter is of considerable importance.

2. My Commission gives me authority over Queen Charlotte's
Island and "all other Islands adjacent to" this "territory,
except Vancouver Island and the Islands Adjacent thereto." My
Attorney-General is of opinion that the exception must be
construed in the narrowest manner and that all the Islands in
the Gulf of Georgia, with the exception of those immediately
contiguous to Vancouver Island must be considered as within the
Government of British Columbia. I observe too that Governor
Kennedy's Commission specially withdraws from his jurisdiction
any of the Islands South of the forty-ninth degree of North Latitude.

3. It would be a great assistance to the Government if
you would inform me which of the Islands adjoining this Coast
are within its jurisdiction and are consequently subject to
the operation of our Customs Laws.