Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 4 April 1867, CO 60:28, no. 5076, 11.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Seymour transmits ordinances regarding taxes on Vancouver Island, one for lack of enforcement and the other for double taxation as a result of extending
British Columbia’s
Customs Actover the united colony. Holland minutes that the ordinances should be sanctioned. Included documents discuss the ordinances.
No. 54
4th April 1867
My Lord,
I have the honor to forward an authenticated and two plain
copies of an Ordinance lately passed by the Legislature of this
Colony, entitled;No. 1.
No.1. An Ordinance of Indemnity for not
enforcing certain Local Taxes of Vancouver Island.
No.1. An Ordinance of Indemnity for not
enforcing certain Local Taxes of Vancouver Island.
2. On the Union of the Colonies the Customs Act of British
Columbia was extended at once over Vancouver Island while the
local laws still remained in force. I found therefore that many
articles imported into Vancouver Island paid double duties. I
took upon myself to direct that Import duties should onlybe
be
charged at the British Columbia rate until I had an opportunity of
bringing the matter before the Legislative Council. The enclosed
Ordinance was unanimously passed to legalize the Act of common
justice committed by me.
be
charged at the British Columbia rate until I had an opportunity of
bringing the matter before the Legislative Council. The enclosed
Ordinance was unanimously passed to legalize the Act of common
justice committed by me.
3. I enclose the Attorney General's report on the Ordinance.
Minutes by CO staff
Certain articles were liable to be taxed under the B
Columbian Acts, which were extended to V. Island (sec. 5 of 29
& 30 Vict. c. 67) and also under the local Vancouver Acts wh:
had not been repealed.
The Govr ordered that the Vancouver Acts Tax should
not be enforced so as to prevent this injustice. This Ordce
indemnifies the officers &c for not collectg the Tax.
Sanction.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
H.P.P. Crease, Attorney General, to Seymour, 31 March 1867,
reporting on the ordinance as per despatch.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 38, 19 June 1867 conveying “Her Majesty’s…confirmation and allowance” of ordinances regarding taxes
on Vancouver Island.