Colonial Despatches

Referring to my Despatch No 136, of 17th October, I have the honor to report that the Writs for the Elections of Members of the new Legislative Council have all been returned, and the following are the names of the Members elected—Mr. Mr Nathan - for Victoria
Mr Helmcken - "
Mr De Cosmos - Victoria District
Mr Bunster - Nanaimo & Comox
Mr Nelson - New Westminster
Mr Cornwall - Yale & Lytton
Mr Humphreys - Lilloett & Clinton
Mr Carrall - Cariboo
Mr Skinner - Columbia & Kootenay

2. In exercise of the authority given to me by the 6th Section of the recent Order in Council I have appointed the following Gentlemen to be Members of the Council provisionally and untilconfirmed confirmed in their appointments by Her Majestys Warrant, namely: The Honble Philip James Hankin
" George Phillippo
" Joseph William Trutch
" Wymond Ogilvy Hamley
(members of the Executive Council) and Augustus Frederick Pemberton, and Edward Graham Alston Esquires.

3. The Constitution of the new Legislature is thus completed, and I have issued a Proclamation of which Ienclose enclose a Copy, convening a Meeting on the 5th January.

4. The business of the Session will be almost entirely limited to completing the proposed Union with Canada, and I do not doubt the favorable issue of the proceedings for this purpose. Attempts may probably be made to obtain modifications of the terms agreed to by the Government of Canada, but I have heard of none proposed that ought reasonably to be excepted by this Colony, andI think I think that I shall be able to obtain sufficient support even among the elected members to avoid or surmount any complications arising from this cause. All elected Members have been returned in favor of Confederation.

5. The most important question likely to be raised is as to the time when "Responsible Government" shall be introduced. The Community are certainly in favor of this form of administration, and a party is prepared to press for itsadoption adoption simultaneously with Union. To introduce it simultaneously is practically impossible; for this cannot be done without another change of constitution and the passing of an Election Law with provision for an enlarged Representative Body. But, the necessary steps for the purpose would certainly be taken at the earliest possible moment after Union if they are prevented now. Some facility will therefore probably be afforded to me in dealing with the principal question of theUnion Union itself, if I anticipate the movement by introducing a Bill during the present Session for effecting such changes as will render possible the introduction of the desired system with the first meeting of an enlarged Council in which nominated members will not sit, and which might be elected under the proposed Act soon after the declaration of Union. I should oppose such a measure except as a pendent to Confederation, which will remove the most important portions of public affairs to the control of theParliament Parliament of Canada; and it shall not be passed until Confederation is finally agreed to; but, after that, I shall regard it as expedient to bring forward a Bill for further modifying the Legislative Constitution, as there will be some advantage in the management of it by the present government.