CO885(1-2) — Page 466

54

as to the expediency of grants of Patents for inven- tions in the United Kingdom extending to this Colony, have the honour to report as their opinion, that there exists no reasonable objection to such grants extending to this Colony.

BAHAMAS.

Governor. No. 52, June 4, 1853.

FALKLAND ISLANDS.

were

Governor Rennie.-Having laid Mr. Merivale's circular before the Executive Council, we unanimously of opinion that in the present state of this Colony it would be premature to extend Patents to this place, or to legislate for protection of inven- tions which in all probability will not be required here for years to come.

FALKLAND ISLANDS.

Governor, No. 36, June 15, 1853.

( 55 )

EASTERN COLONIES.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

885

2PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

MAURITIUS.

MAURITIUS.

Governor Higginson.-I have consulted the Pro-

Governor, No. 115, Jan. 28, 1853, cureur-General and Executive Council, and I now transmit the opinion given by the former, and the minutes of the latter, together with a copy of the Ordinance which at present regulates the granting of Patents in this Colony.

The Governor is authorized to issue Letters Patent for a term not exceeding fourteen years, and to revoke the same for certain reasons specified in the Ordinance.

The Council agree with the Procureur-General in thinking that this Ordinance should be amended in certain of its provisions, particularly as regards the publicity of applications for Letters-Patent; and also that Patents granted in England might be extended by a special clause to the Colony.

The principles of evidence which prevail in Eng- land as to the specifications, &c., of inventions, would be admitted in the Colonial Courts on any questions relating to Patents which might come before them.

Under these circumstances I may perhaps venture to suggest, that if it is considered feasible to extend to the Colony Letters-Patent granted in England ' for any improvements or inventions, it would be as well to add this limitation :-" Provided that no Letters-Patent have already been granted in the Colony by the Governor for such invention, &c.," as it might happen that an invention patented in

•