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40 The Fraser River Mines.
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integrity, though every cause of offence, it is needless to say, was
remembered and brought forward.

From what has come before me I feel bound to state to Your
Excellency that I have no confidence that anywhere else in British
Columbia higher up the Fraser the office of justice of the peace is so
efficiently represented as is desirable, and I feel bound to recommend
that when any discreet person be found he shod be appointed without
delay and proceed directly up the river where a very large immigra-
tion may almost immediately be expected. From what I have observed
a very small force of regular police constables wod in general be
necessary.

A large proportion of the population might, I think, be depended
upon as special constables; and evil-doers are in general disunited,
aware of the positive animosity with wch they are regarded by a
large number of the persons by whom they are surrounded, and, though
prone to violence, not very courageous. The late expedition of troops
also, at perhaps the very worst period of the winter wch has yet
occurred, has, I hope, shown them the temper of Your Excellency’s
Gov’t.

With respect to the powers of Justices of the Peace, various altera-
tions have suggested themselves, chiefly in consequence of the late
occurrences. These I propose to reduce into the form of a Proclama-
tion having the force of law, and to submit to Your Excellency for
approval. The chief points which wod be brought forward would be :-—

Ist. The abolition of all districts wch are at present wholly
undefined and seem to promote confusion and jealousies,

2nd. Empowering a single Justice to do all acts for which by the
English law two Justices are required.

3rd. Augmenting the pecuniary penalties; the English fines of 5s.
and even 40s. are quite inadequate in “ ounce diggings ”’ districts.

4th. Regulating the fees to be taken. At present I am not aware
of any authorized table of fees: very different amounts are demanded
at different places, and in some the fees seem perfectly exorbitant.

Sth. Throwing the Excise and Customs duties’ proceedings into
the summary jurisdiction of justices.

6th. Generally codifying and classifying offences. This draft
I have in a great measure prepared, but I feel great difficulty in the
absence of the English Statute of 1848, wch codifies, I believe, the
English law on the subject and of wch no copy exists in the Colony.

I may state the weather was exceedingly ill adapted for travelling.
The snow lay eighteen inches deep on the flats opposite to Yale after a