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THE NEW LAW FOR THE GOVERN
MENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
[From the Weekly DitpatchA
j.iit- udit akv, jjosocu uu mo uujr ui me pro
rogation, to provide for the Government of
British Columbia, is in print ; and as at this
period a notice of everything relating to the
place must prove acceptable, we call the at
tention of the public to the alterations effected
in the Government of the coleny, to which a
new Governor has been appointed. The pre
amble states that 'Whereas divers of Her
Majesty's subjects aud others have, by the
licence and consent of Her Majesty, resorted
to and settled on certain wild and unoccupied
territories on the north-west coast of North
America, commonly known by the designation
of New Caledonia, and from and after the
passing of this Act to be named British Co
lumbia, and the islands adjacent, for mining
and other purposes, it is desirable to make
some temporary provision for tho civil govern
ment of such territories until the permanent
settlements shall be thereupon established, and
the number of colonists increased.' The Act
fixes the boundaries of British Columbia,
comprising all such territories within tho
dominion of Her Majesty as are bounded to
the south by the frontier of the United States
of America, to the east by the main chain
of the Rocky Mountains, to the north by
Simpson's River and the Finlay Branch of the
Pearl River, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean,
including Queen Charlotte's Island, and all
other islands adjacent to the territories, except
where specially mentioned. Her Majesty is
empowered by this Act, by Orders in Council,
to make, ordain, and establish, and to authorize
and empower snch officer as she may appoint
as Governor of British Columbia, to make
provision for the administration of justice
therein, aud generally to make, ordain,
and establish all such laws, institu
tions, and ordinances as may be necessary
for the peace, order, and good government of
Her Majesty's subjects and others therein, which
laws, &c., are to be laid before Parliament as
soon as conveniently may be after the making
and enactment oi me same, runner, iier
Majesty may establish a local Legislature in
BritUh Columbia, which is to consist of the
Governor and a Council or Council and
Assembly, to be composed of such and so
many persons, and to be appointed or elected
in such manner and for such periods and sub
ject to such regulations aa to Her Majesty may
seem expedient. Certain criminal laws iu
operation, as regards British Columbia are
repealed, as also others connected with civil
suits; and the statute goes on to declare that
from and after the proclamation of this Act
in British Columbia, the Act 43 Geo. III. and
the Act 2 Geo. IV. and the provisions con
tained in such Act for giving force, authority.
-uu wwt vnwuu mu jLiiiuau icrruurics iu mo
process and acts of the Courts of Upper
Canada, are to cease to be applicable to British
Columbia. All judgments given in any civil
suit in British Columbia are to be subject to
appeal to Her Majesty in Council, in the
manner and subject to the regulations to which
ippeals are now brought from tho Civil Court*
oi Canada, and to such further regulations as
may be directed. No part of the colony of
Vancouver's Island as at present established is
to be comprisad within British Columbia for
tho purposes of this Ace ; but Her Majesty
may, on application of the two Houses of
Legislature of Vancouver's Island, make an
Order in Council for its incorporation with
British Columbia, under such conditions and
regulations as may bo deemed necessary. The
natv law is to continue in force till the 31st of
December, 1862; but the expiration of the
Act is not to effect tho boundaries now defined,
or the right of appeal given or any act dono
or right acquired under or by virtue of this
Act ; nor is the expiration of the Batne to
revive the Acts or parts now repealed.
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