1845-02-12 — Page 1

Memorandum written by Colonial Treasurer

12th February 1845

Having this day ascertained that H. Excellency the Governor has been pleased to offer a comment on my dissent respecting the Opium Licensing Ordinance No. 21 and that His Excellency refers to the dissent being antedated to 26th May.

I hereby declare that the Dissent referred to by His Excellency was written by me for the first time on the day the dissent was presented to Council namely on the 26th November 1844.

That until that day I had not written one word on one respecting Ordinance No. 21.

That when the said Ordinance was read a first time on the 20th November, it was not possible for me to put in a Dissent.

That I did so previous to the second reading on the 26th November.

That I expressed my regret at being compelled to oppose the second reading of Ordinance No. 21 which after some observations on my dissent was then read and finally passed. I annex the original of my dissent written in the presence of my Clerk on the 26th November 1844.

Sd, R. M. Martin

Mem: I think I was not a Member of Council on 26th May 1844.

Signed [R. M. J. M.]

TrueCopy

Sd, A. E. Shelley

Clerk of Councils, 19th February 1845.

Note on the above by H. E the Governor.

______________________________

12th February 1845.

It is only necessary to observe with reference to the Treasurer's Memorm of this date.

That the date of the Dissent in question is the 26th May in his own handwriting.

That he was present on the first on the 20th November, but offered no dissent either verbal or written which being remarked by the Governor when he presented his paper on the day of passing the Ordinance, the Treasurer stated he had before mentioned his objections to the Colonial Secretary.

That the Treasurer was reported to Lord Stanley as a Member of the Executive Council on the 13th May in Despatch No. 4.

Sd, J. F. Davis

Read in Council

and approved,

A. E. Shelley

Clerk of Councils, this 19th February 1845