Despatch to London.
Minutes (6), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
No. 6
25th January 1866
Sir,
I have had the honor to receive Your Despatch marked
Separate of the 7th of October last, on the subject of
the late dissolution of the Legislative Council.
2. Previous to thereceipt receipt of Your Despatch, I had
summoned the Council to meet in Session on the 18th Inst.
I was therefore enabled to carry out your instructions without delay.
3. I opened the Session on the day fixed with the Speech
transmitted in my Despatch No. 5 and the Council adjourned
until the 22nd Instant.
4. In the Government Gazette of the 20th Instant, I
issued a fresh Proclamationnotifying notifying the appointment of the
several members constituting the Legislative Council.
5. Fresh Commissions having been prepared for each member,
on the 22nd Instant I administered the usual Oaths and the
Attorney General introduced a Bill to establish retrospectively
all Acts and Proceedings taken before the re-appointment of the Council.
6. At the next sittingof of the Council the Standing Orders
were suspended by unanimous Vote to allow the Bill to be passed
through the various stages without delay, and on the 24th
Instant I assented in Her Majesty's name to the Ordinance
transmitted in my Despatch No. 7 of the 26th Instant.
7. The Legislative Council now consists of the following
members:
8. The Commissions bear date from the 18th Instant and are
to continue in force, unless disallowed by the Secretary of State
until 1st June 1866.
9. I have not consideredit it advisable to withdraw another
Magistrate from the Districts of the Upper Country to fill the
vacancy in the Council caused by Mr H.M. Ball's temporary
appointment as Acting Colonial Secretary.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant Arthur N. Birch
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Newspaper clipping,
Government Gazette, no date, containing proclamation issued by
Birch conveying notification of the composition of the new Legislative
Council.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Cardwell to Officer Administering the
Government, No. 21, 20 April 1866.