No. 218

I have the honor to transmit herewith for the information
of Her Majesty's Government, copies of the following Proclamations
which have been lately issued for the Colony of British Columbia, i.e.

1. Proclamation dated 15th May 1859 for the Naturalization
of Aliens, in the Colony of British Columbia, alluded to in my
Despatch No. 167 of the 8th June last.

2. Proclamation dated 19th May 1859 for the relief of
Her Majesty's subjects, entitled the "Oaths Act" 1859.

3. Proclamation dated 2nd June 1859 altering, in some
respects, the act for levying duties of Customs on Imports into
British Columbia.

4. Proclamation dated 15th June 1859 imposing Tonnage,
Pilotage, and Harbor dues, at the Port of Queensborough, now
New Westminster, British Columbia.

5. Proclamation dated 25th June 1859 amending the same.

6. Proclamation dated 10th August 1859 amending the Laws
relating to the Licences for selling spirits &c and for other
purposes.

7. Proclamation dated 31st August 1859 entitled the "Gold
Fields Act", together with Rules and Regulations for working of
Gold Mines, dated 7th September 1859.

2. The "Aliens Act" confers upon such persons the privilege
of holding and conveying real estate, and of being naturalized,
within the Colony, after a residence therein of 3 years, and is
calculated in all its provisions, to attach the Alien to the Country
of his adoption, and through a sense of obligation, to Her Majesty's
rule.

3. The Amended "Customs Act" imposes further duties—

On Tobacco, for purely revenue purposes.

On Distilled Liquors and Spirits of all sorts, not only to increase
the Revenue, but also with the view of reducing the disparity of cost to
the consumer between the cheap American spirits, now largely imported
from San Francisco, and the better qualities of Spirits imported from
Great Britain; and to encourage the importation of the latter.

On Flour and other articles of food,
entering largely into the consumption of the mining
population, for revenue purposes. These articles were
previously charged with a low specific duty, for the
benefit of that class, who were then taxed through
the Act imposing a Monthly Mining Licence Fee, which is now repealed.

4. The "Spirit License Act" repeals all former Acts for
levying duties on the sales of Wines and Spirits.

The Charge on Spirit Licences is reduced to a much lower
sum, intended to compensate in the case of Keepers of
Licensed Houses for the increased Customs duty, levied on spirits.

5. The "Gold Fields Act" with the annexed rules and regulations,
embraces the whole subject of Gold Mining, and provides very fully
for contingent questions. Miners rights are guarded with special
care. As a class they are free from any direct taxes beyond the
annual charge of £1 for the Free Miners Certificate.

That document places them in a position of perfect security,
with respect to mining claims, and secures to each Free Miner the
right of voting at Elections.

Mining Boards having a power to make bye laws, with the
consent of the Gold Commissioner, may be formed whenever one
hundred or more Registered Free Miners are found in any District.

It is also provided that the Mining Boards may be dissolved
by the Governor, a power which it may, in certain cases be necessary
to use; at the same time the Mining Boards will be fostered and
encouraged as long as they confine their influence to its
legitimate object, that of improving the condition of the Gold Fields.

The other Acts do not appear to require special notice, and
with those reported on, will I trust meet with Your Grace's approval.