CO885-(10-11) — Page 742

9014.

No. 590.

(CANADA.)

MY LORD,

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Temple, August 10, 1869.

We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified to us in Sir F. R. Sandford's letter of the 6th instant, stating-

1st. That he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us for our consideration, the copy of an Act which had recently been passed by the Canadian Legislature respecting Nova Scotia.

2. That as we were aware, the 114th section of the British North America Act, 1867, provided that Nova Scotia should be liable to Canada for the amount (if any) by which its public debt exceeded at the time of the Union 8,000,000 dollars, and should be charged with interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum thereon.

3. That by the Canadian Act, the amount of public debt was fixed at 9,186,756 dollars.

4. That by the 2nd section of that Act it was provided that a certain allowance should be paid to Nova Scotia in addition to sums payable under the Imperial Act.

5. That when that Act was under the consideration of the Canadian Legislature, a question was raised whether it was within the power of that Legislature to pass such a

measure.

6. That upon that point Sir F. R. Sandford was desired to call our attention to the provisions of the 91st section of the Imperial Act, and to request that we would favour your Lordship with our opinion whether it was competent for the Colonial Legislature to pass that Act, or whether Imperial legislation would be necessary to effect that relief to Nova Scotia.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have the honour to

Report

That we think that the Act, a copy of which your Lordship has directed Sir F. R. Sandford to transmit to us, is one which under the 91st section of 30 & 31 Vict. c. 3.,

it was within the competence of the Parliament of Canada to paes.

The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

We have, &c. (Signed) R. P. COLLIER.

J. D. COLERIDGE.

o 16278-597. 25.-5/86.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PELLIC.O. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

3.