CO885(2-3) — Page 88

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.

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to the general measure from a feeling of uncer- tainty as to the mode in which it might be carried out.

Again, it appears to me to be deserving of the consideration of the Government whether, on the one band, the peculiar position and claims of the Melbourne Bill do not justify the separate treatment of that case, and whether, on the other hand, as a question of policy, the passing of that Bill as a distinct and independent measure might not be useful by affording means, in the observation of its results, for hereafter framing a general scheme of church legislation for other portions of Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions.

In leaving England for my Diocese, I would take this last opportunity of expressing my earnest hope that Her Majesty's present Government will not disappoint the expectations of the members of the Church of England in Victoria, who look with con- fidence to them for that common justice which is all that the Church asks for, and which it is certainly entitled to receive.

I have, &c. (Signed)

C. MELBOURNE.

CONFIDENTIAL.

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Church Legislation in the Colonies.

(In continuation.)

Mr. Labouchere,

I SUPPOSE that the practical importance of

the Church of England questions now pending is chiefly confined to the North American and Austra

lian colonies, being those in which alone there is a British population. It has occurred to me that it might be useful to have within reach a short index showing what has been done in the way of Colonial legislation, affecting Church subjects, in those two divisions of the Empire; and I have accordingly made the following compilation. But I must pre- mise that the great number of recent Acts in the larger Colonies, and the absence of index or digest in most of them, necessarily makes this an

an imperfect and uncertain collation, unless much more labour were bestowed on it than I have been able to do.

January 15, 1856.

H. MERIVALE.

885

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON

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

CANADA.

The Canada Government Act (of Parliament), 31 George Ill, e. 31 (by sections 38, 39, 40) em- powered the Governor to endow Rectories "accord- ing to the establishment of the Church of England," and to present to them ministers “duly ordained;" and every person so presented was to enjoy the same "on the same terms and conditions, and liable to the performance of the same duties, as the incum. hent of a parish in England." Every such presenta- tion to be subject to the "ecclesiastical jurisdiction and authority" of the Bishop of Nova Scotia, or by

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