4 CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE DISCOVERY

and civilly, as the law allows. And I further notify and declare, that such regulations as
may be found expedient will be prepared and published, setting forth the terms on which
licences will be issued for this purpose, on the payment ofa reasonable fee.

Given under my hand and seal at the Government Office, Victoria, this 26th day of
March, in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Fifty-three, and in
the seventeenth year of Her Majesty’s reign.

By his Excelleney’s command.
James Douglas, Secretary.
Gop SAVE THE QUEEN!

Enclosure 2, in No. 1.

Government House, Victoria, 7 April 1858.
Encl. 2, in No, 1. Wirn reference to the proclamation issued on the 26th March, declaring the rights of the
Crown in respect to gold found in its natural state of deposit within the Islands of Queen
Charlotte, his Excellency the Lieutenant-governer has been pleased to establish the follow-
ing provisional regulations, under which licences may be obtained to dig, search for, and
remove the same :—-

1. From and after the first day of April no person will be permitted to dig, search for, or
remove gold on or from any lands, public or private, without first taking out and paying tor
a licence in the form annexed.

2. For the present, and pending further proof of the extent and productiveness of the gold
deposits, the licence fee has been fixed at 10s. per month, to be paid in advance ; but it is
to be understood that the rate is subject to future adjustment as circumstances may render
expedient.

3. The licences can be obtained at Victoria, Vancouver’s Island, until a commissioner is
appointed by his Excellency the Lieutenant-governor to carry those regulations into effect,
and who will be authorised to receive the fee payable thereon.

4. Rules adjusting the extent and position of land to be covered by each licence, and for
the prevention of confusion, and the interference of one licence with another, will be regulated
by the said commissioner. f

James Douglas.
By his Excellency’s command.

Richard Golledge.
— No. 2.—
No. 2. es 5:)
The Duke of Copy of a DESPATCH from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle to Governor
Newcastle to Douglas.
GovernouD ualas: Sir, ‘ Downing-street, 16 July 1853.

16 July 1853.
Tag I wave received your despatch (No. 1.) of the 11th April, transmitting the

copy of a proclamation which had been issued by you, declaring the rights of
the Crown with respect to gold found in Queen Charlotte’s Islands; and also
copy of the regulations afterwards published, setting forth the terms and condi-
tions on which licences would be granted by the local government to search and
dig for gold in those islands.

I have to signify to you my approval of the terms of this proclamation, and of
the regulations you have issued on this subject.

Tam, &e.

(signed) Newcastle.
— No. 3. —-
No. 3.
F. Peel, Esq. to Copy of a LETTER from f°. Pee/, Esq., to Richard Taylor, Esq.
Rich. Taylor, Esq. : 2
20 July 1853. Sir, Downing-street, 20 July 1853.

I am directed by the Duke of Newcastle to inform you, that your application
for a lease of mining land in Queen Charlotte’s Island, on the part of Mr. A.
Easterby, and certain gentlemen associated with him, has been a long time under
his consideration, because he felt bound not to decide upon it without taking
into view the general questions raised for the decision of Her Majesty’s Govern-
ment by the gold discoveries in that quarter.

2. Lam,