No. 1

1. With reference to the Proclamation and regulations legalizing the
search for Gold in the Districts of Fraser's River and Thompson's River,
transmitted with my Despatch No 35, of the 29th of December last, I
have now the honor to communicate for your information, that we have
since that date raised the Licence Fee, from ten shillings to Twenty one
shillings a month, payable in advance, which is the present charge for
Gold Licences.

2. We were induced to make that change through a desire to place a
larger amount of revenue at the disposal of Government, to meet the
expense of giving protection to life and property in those countries,
and, at the same time, from a well founded conviction that persons really
bent upon visiting the Gold Districts, will as readily pay the increased
as the lower rate of charge.