251. The salary of the Treasurer, or other proper Officer, must not be issued to him until he has certified to the Governor that he has complied with his instructions.

252. The Auditor will transmit through the Governor such Reports as he may from time to time have to send home, in order that the Governor may have an opportunity of adding any explanations which he may consider requisite in order to obviate the necessity of a further reference to the Colony.

253. All accounts of expenditure of public money must be accompanied by authenticated copies of, or extracts from, such of the Secretary of State's Despatches as may be referred to in the accounts, in support of particular items of expenditure.

254. Except so far as relates to money transactions between the Imperial and Colonial Governments the foregoing Regulations from 232 to 253 inclusive are only applicable to Crown Colonies. 255, 256. Cancelled by Circular Despatch of 13th September, 1887.

§ III. Other Periodical Returns.*

257. A Table of Duties payable on articles imported into, and exported from, the Colony should be punctually forwarded in duplicate so as to arrive in this country shortly before the 31st December of each year, with a view to enable the Board of Trade to prepare, at as early a period of the Session as possible, the Colonial Abstract and other papers annually laid before Parliament. In such table all additional rates levied on Imports and Exports under any special Acts or Regulations should be specified. (Enclosure to Circular of 25th January, 1881).

258. Copies of the Minutes of the Proceedings of Legislative Councils and Assemblies, and in Colonies not possessing responsible Government, of Executive Councils.

259. Lists of Members of Executive and Legislative Councils, specifying the date of their appointment, and whether they hold any other Office in the Colony. Similar lists are to be sent on announcing any provisional appointment to either Council, distinguishing those who are absent on leave and those whose appointments are provisional.

260. A return of changes which may occur from time to time under the provisions of the ViceAdmiralty Courts Act of 1863, in the persons holding the office of Judge Marshal or Registrar for communication to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

261. In Colonies in which it is customary to print the Laws the Governor will send home not fewer than eighteen, or in case of Acts affecting the Constitution, or containing a suspending clause, or reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure, twenty-one copies of all Acts passed during the Session of the Colonial Legislature, and six manuscript copies where the laws are not printed; and Her Majesty's Government will send out annually to the respective Governors, for the use of the Colonial Legislatures and Courts of Justice, copies of the British Statutes. Of the printed copies of Acts twelve are to be sent under flying covers, addressed as below. Those intended for the Colonial Office, House of Lords and House of Commons, should be sent home as soon as printed. The copies for the other public departments and societies should be sent once a-year to the Crown Agents for the Colonies, for distribution.

1. House of Lords.

2. House of Commons.

3. To the Board of Trade.

4. To the British Museum.

5. The Bar Library, Royal Courts of Justice.

6. To the Incorporated Law Society.

7. To the Library of the Faculty of Advocates of Scotland.'

8. The Library of Lincoln's Inn.

9. The Library of the Inner Temple.

10. The Library of the Middle Temple.

11. The Library of Gray's Inn.

12. The Library of King's Inns, Dublin.

Copies of all official publications are to be forwarded to the British Museum.

262. Four copies of every new compilation or corrected edition of the Colonial Laws are to be forwarded to the Secretary of State.

263. Two copies of the Colonial Book Almanack for the current year, and copies of Government Gazettes, and generally of such books or pamphlets issuing from the Colonial Press as may be useful to this Department, and of the principal newspapers published in the Colony. (Special instructions as to the newspapers to be sent home issued in Circulars, 31st October, 1870, and 10th June, 1871.)

264, 265, 266. Cancelled by Circular Despatch of 13th September, 1887.

267. In Colonies possessing considerable quantities of waste land in course of settlement, the SurveyorGeneral should be required once a year to present a return of the progress of his department, for transmission to the Secretary of State. Besides making these regular returns, Governors are particularly enjoined to keep the Secretary of State punctually informed of the progress of geographical and scientific exploration in the Colonies, and in particular to transmit reports of journeys of discovery and investigations of the natural history and capabilities of particular districts, with such maps and surveys as may be required for elucidation.

§ IV. The Annual "Blue Book."

268. In addition to the particular Returns mentioned in the preceding Section, the annual "Blue Book," containing specific accounts of the Civil Establishments, of the Colonial Revenue and Expenditure, and of various statistical particulars, &c., must be completed as early as possible after the close of each year. The various Returns which it comprises must be filled up with the greatest possible accuracy; and the statistical tables must be full and complete. Blank copies of this book, in sheets, will be annually transmitted to each Colony from the Colonial Office.

(c)

See also Circular, 17th September, 1885.

Y 2

269. The Colonial Secretary will be responsible for the general preparation of the "Blue Book," and for its being completed during the first quarter of the year succeeding that for which it is designed, and he must certify the accuracy of its contents.

270. The Governor must send home the "Blue Book" in duplicate. He is to retain one copy for the use of the Executive Government, and in the Legislative Colonies to lay a copy of it before the Council and the House of Assembly respectively.

271. The Governor, in transmitting the "Blue Book" to this Department, must accompany it with a Report, which should be written on one side of the paper only, exhibiting generally the past and present state of the Colony, and its prospects under the several heads specified in the Book. That Report will be laid before both Houses of Parliament.

It should be, as much as may be, complete within itself, and if it be unavoidable to append other Returns than those to be found in the Blue Book reported upon, they should be of a summary character, and clear of such local details as are of no use and significancy elsewhere than on the spot; bearing in mind that the extent to which what is printed for Parliament shall be circulated and read, will depend much on the degree to which it is substantiative and succinct.

CHAPTER IX.

§1. Requisitions from Colonies.

272. Requisitions from the Colonies for articles costing in the aggregate less than 1007. should be made direct to the Crown Agents, by the proper Colonial Officer. Every requisition should bear a reference to the law or ordinance, if any, by which the expenditure is sanctioned; or if not so sanctioned should be reported to the Secretary of State by the same mail as that by which it is made upon the Crown Agents, in order that it may be countermanded if the Secretary of State should think it improper. 273. A requisition for articles costing in the aggregate more than 1007. must be transmitted to the Secretary of State in the first instance in duplicate, and not to the Crown Agents for the Colonies.

273A. Requisitions should in no case be made directly, or through local merchants, upon firms in this country, although the names of the firms whose goods have given most satisfaction may be mentioned in the body of the requisition, in order that if the Secretary of State should so decide, they may be asked to tender, through the Crown Agents, for a further supply of the same articles.

274. It must be certified in each case whether such requisitions are made "for the current supply of an established and customary service," and sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government, or for articles of an extraordinary nature, or for a service not so sanctioned.

275. In the latter case it is necessary that the requisitions should be accompanied with all the explanations necessary for the guidance of Her Majesty's Government in determining whether they should or should not be complied with.

276 The list containing the specific articles required must be attested by the Governor.

277. No requisition must be made to replace articles spoilt or worn out until a Board of Survey, consisting of not less than three Public Officers, of whom the Colonial Secretary should in general be Presi dent, has been held upon the articles. A certificate of the Board, stating that the articles in question are unserviceable and require to be replaced, must accompany the requisition.

278. The Officer at the head of the Department must be debited with the unserviceable articles, or the Board of Survey must give directions for having them sold by public auction, whenever the quantity accumulated shall render such sale expedient.

279. Every Board of Survey must furnish the Governor with a Report of their proceedings.

280. They are also required to consider and report to the Governor the propriety of every requisition for articles to be supplied for the public service, taking care that no article is demanded which is not absolutely necessary.

281. Governors are expected to revise the requisitions and the Reports of the Boards, and to direct the Boards to reconsider their reports should it be necessary; and to forward them to the Secretary of State with their own observations.

282. The Crown Agents are authorised in the case of those Colonies by which they are employed, but which do not contribute anything to the support of their establishment, to add 5 per cent. to the gross amount of their invoices to cover departmental expenses.

282A. In any case in which a Colony, not habitually employing the Crown Agents, makes a remittance to them of funds (in whatever manner or for whatever purpose), the Governor is to forward to the Secretary of State by the same mail the particulars of such remittance.

§ II. Government Houses, Furniture, &c.

283. The Governor will insert in the annual "Blue Book" a general Report on the state of repair, & of the Government House or Houses, the state of the furniture, and the arrangements under which it is provided.

284. The Government House, together with its stables, out-buildings, fences, and other appurtenances will be kept in substantial repair throughout, at the cost of the Colony. The rooms will be painted, and papered (when necessary), and furnished at the public expense. Plate and table ornaments to s moderate and reasonable amount, and crockery, glass, cutlery, and kitchen utensils will also be provided at the cost of the Colony. Unless it is otherwise provided by local law the Governor will pay 5 per cent. per annum on the estimated value of the furniture in the bed-rooms, kitchens, and other rooms not used for the public reception of company, and of all other articles provided at the cost of the Colony. and used by him, but he will be subject to no charge on account of the furniture of the reception rooms or of the offices used by himself or by his Private Secretary or Aide-de-Camp. For the purpose of arriving at the estimated value of the furniture, and other articles on which the Governor is to pay a percentage, a valuation will be made by such persons as may be appointed for that purpose by the

Executive Council on the Governor's assumption of the Government and annually thereafter during the Governor's tenure of office.

284A. Arrangements have been entered into between the Crown Agents and Contractors to keep always in stock a selected pattern of crockery and glass for a best and second best service for dinner and dessert as well as for breakfast, tea, and coffee sets, with a badge consisting of a Royal Crown, the letters V.R. in a monogram, and the name of the Colony and the words "Government House" on a scroll beneath. 285. All the Chapel plate and furniture, and pictures of the Royal Family, which may have been formerly supplied to Governors' houses, are to be considered public property, and not to be removed on any account. 286. All furniture and plate supplied at the public expense is to be kept complete; and any article lost or damaged, otherwise than by fair wear, is to be made good at the expense of the Officer occupying the Government House for the time being.

287. It is the duty of every Governor to keep an accurate inventory of all furniture and plate provided at the public expense; of which inventory he must cause one copy to be retained in the Government House, and one to be delivered to some one Officer of his Government, who, on satisfying himself that the inventory so delivered to him is correct, will be held responsible for its safe custody.

288. The Governor must from time to time, and not seldomer than once in every two years, require and direct the Officer, whom he may appoint as above, to make an inspection of the furniture, and plate, comparing the several articles with the inventory in his possession; and that Officer is to prepare a list of all deficiencies, which the Governor must thereupon take measures to have replaced or rectified at his own expense.

289. Within one month from the date of an inspection, such Officer shall deliver to the Governor a report thereof, in which shall be noted the deficiencies, if any.

290. On each occasion of a Colonial Governor vacating his Government, a similar inspection and report are to be made; and if the retiring Officer does not cause the deficiencies for which he is responsible to be repaired or made good, the inspecting Officer (in communication with the Officer who may succeed to the Government) is to prepare and transmit to the Secretary of State a statement of the expense to be incurred for that purpose, in order to the recovery of the amount from the responsible Officer.

291. The Government Offices in the respective Colonies may also be supplied, at the public expense, with such furniture, of a plain but substantial kind, as may be absolutely requisite for the proper accommodation of the persons belonging to the Departments, while engaged in the transaction of the public business. 292. The same regulations are to be observed in regard to the custody and repair of furniture supplied to Government Offices at the public expense as have been established in the case of Governors' residences. (As to making good defective crockery and supply of same pattern through the Crown Agents, see Circulars, 26th August, 1880, and 8th January, 1873.)

CHAPTER X.

§ I. Custody of Public Moneys in Colonies not possessing Representative Assemblies.

293. The Governor may, with the concurrence of the Council, and the approval of the Secretary of State, avail himself of the services of any Banking Establishments in the Colony for the deposit of all, or any portion of the public moneys arising from Colonial revenue or other Colonial receipts, as well as for the transaction of public business connected with the financial arrangements of the Colony. It is to be understood that any moneys placed in the Banks are liable to fluctuation in amount, or to be withdrawn, according to the exigencies of the public service, but the Governor will not be precluded from making a special arrangement for the transfer of a portion of the balance from the current account of the Colonial Government to a deposit account.

294. When no Banking Establishments exist, or where it is not thought advisable to employ them, or when they may be had recourse to for the deposit of part only of the public money, the Governor will cause a secure fire-proof vault or safe to be constructed, either for the office of the Treasurer or in some other appropriate Building, for the deposit of all surplus moneys. This building is to be duly watched and guarded, and the door of the vault or safe to be furnished with three different locks, the keys of which are to be kept by, and under the separate charge-one, of the Treasurer, and the others of such two principal Officers of the Government as the Governor may consider it most expedient to appoint for such purpose.

295. The Colonial Treasurer, or Receiver-General, is to keep under his own immediate charge, such sums of money only as may be necessary to meet the current disbursements of his Department, not exceeding a certain fixed maximum. If Banking Establishments be employed for the deposit only of surplus moneys, or if a strong vault be used for that purpose, the Treasurer's separate balance will, in either case, be regulated by the average amount of his monthly ordinary expenditure; but if recourse shall be had to the Banking Establishments for the transaction of current business, as well as for the deposit of surplus moneys, the balance to be left in the hands of the Treasurer will be of small amount, to meet only minor incidental expenses.

296. When it is necessary to fix or alter the amount of the maximum balance which may remain in the hands of the Treasurer, the Governor will, after the necessary inquiries, report to the Secretary of State, for the consideration of the Lords of the Treasury, the sum which he may decide upon for such maximum balance, accompanying this report by statements of the Treasurer's average monthly ordinary receipts and disbursements (distinguishing fixed revenue from incidental receipts, and pay and salaries from contingent disbursements), and by such other explanations and observations as may have been submitted to him, and upon which he may have grounded his decision.

297. In order that the Governor may at all times have the means of informing himself as to the state and disposal of the public balance, and of providing effectually for its verification, he will cause the Regulations which he has received from the Lords of the 'Treasury in this respect to be strictly observed by all concerned.

298. If the Governor shall have availed himself of the services of a Banking Establishment in the Colony, he will require from the Secretary, or other proper Officer of such Establishment, a monthly statement of all sums deposited in and withdrawn from the Bank, and of the balance of public money remaining in the Bank at the end of each month.

299. The Governor will take care that arrangements are made with the Directors or Managers of these Establishments, so that the Colonial Treasurer Receiver-General, or other Accountant, shall not have sole control over the sums deposited therein.

300. To effect this object the cheques on the Bank for the payment of ordinary disbursements should invariably be countersigned by the Officer next in rank at the Treasurer's or Accountant's office.

301. In those cases where the Banks may be had recourse to only for the deposit of surplus moneys, the cheques should be countersigned by the Governor, as his warrant of authority to the Bank for the re-issue of the money.

302. When the Banks are used for deposits, and also for the transaction of the current business of the Government, it is necessary that the Governor should fix the maximum sum for which the Treasurer's draft, countersigned by his principal Assistant, may be honoured, and beyond which sum the Governor's warrant of authority, as above described, is to be required in addition.

303. If the surplus funds, or any portion thereof, shall be deposited in a strong vault, the Governor is to require from the three Officers in charge a quarterly return of the moneys deposited therein.

304. The strong vault is on no occasion to be opened, nor is any money to be deposited therein or withdrawn therefrom, except by the three persons entrusted with the keeping of the separate keys, and by an order or warrant under the Governor's signature (such orders or warrants to be for round suras addressed to the Treasurer or Accountant, and to the two other Officers concerned; and the three Officers entrusted with the keys, and present at the opening of the vault, are to sign a joint certificate as to every sum deposited, which certificate is to be delivered to the Treasurer, to be annexed with other vouchers to his accounts.

305. The Treasurer is, in like manner, to sign receipts in duplicate for every amount re-issued to him, which receipts are to be delivered to the other Officers in charge of the vault.

306. In case of illness, absence, or other unavoidable circumstance interfering with the strictly personal duty prescribed by these regulations, the written authority of the Governor is to be obtained for any temporary transfer of the key to another Officer.

307. The Governor will cause to be prepared on the 1st days of January, April, July, and October of each year, a statement of the sums of the funds of the Colonial chest, in the form prescribed for that purpose by the Lords of the Treasury. (See also Circular, 7th May, 1878.)

308. The Governor will also cause an examination of the funds of Colonial chests to be made twice in each year, or as much oftener as he may think fit to direct, at uncertain periods, and without any previous notice, and he will immediately forward to the Secretary of State the certificates of quarterly surveys as well as those made at uncertain periods; duplicate copies of these certificates are also to be annexed to the Colonial Treasurer's accounts. (See also Circular, 7th May, 1878.)

309. The Governor must bear in mind that arrangements relating to the deposit of Colonial Funds with any Banking Establishment should have for their object the convenience and accommodation of the Public Service only, and are not to be entered into with any particular view of enabling the Banks to increase their accommodations and loans to others, and the Governor will also take care that every proper advantage and allowance by way of interest for deposits that might be profitably employed by the Banks, is duly secured for the use and benefit of the Colonial Treasury and Government.

§ II.—Securities.-Security to be required from Persons appointed to the temporary charge of Offices of pecuniary trust in the Colonies not possessing Representative Assemblies.*

310. Officers entrusted with public money should give security in proportion to the average sum which may be passing through their hands at any time. If the Colonial Treasurer, or any other established Officer who has been called upon to give security to the Crown in respect of pecuniary responsibility attaching to his Office, shall obtain leave of absence under circumstances which require the interposition of the authority of the Governor for the appointment of a Substitute, the Governor will call upon the person whom he may select to act in the absence of the principal to give security, in his personal bond, to the Crown, with the bonds of two or more Sureties, to such an amount, with reference to the security of the principal, as may be reasonably required; or to furnish, in lieu of the Bond of Sureties, such other collateral security, upon property or otherwise, as shall be of equal amount and validity with such bonds.

311. In case the Governor should find that the person whom he may propose to appoint to the temporary charge of an Office of pecuniary trust cannot furnish the amount of collateral security required from him, the Governor will consider whether, in order to render so large an amount of collateral security unnecessary, some arrangement can be made for reducing the risk of loss, either by placing the Office in Commission, or by limiting the floating balance under the charge of the Officer to the smallest amount necessary to meet the current expenditure for ordinary contingent services, and by depositing all surplus beyond such reduced average balance in a separate Chest, under the joint charge of two or more Officers holding separate keys.

312. A full report of all the circumstances relating to any such special arrangement must be made to the Secretary of State for the information of the Lords of the Treasury, and in the event of the employment of a Commission the personal bonds of the Officers joined in Commission are to be taken as to their separate acts.

313. As all security required from persons appointed to the temporary charge of Offices vacated in consequence of leave of absence, or from any other cause, is to be independent of, and unconnected with, any security which may have been given by the established Officer, the Governor is particularly cautioned that the bonds or other instrument which may be prepared with a view of giving effect to * See Circular of 6th February, 1872 naming guarantee offices whose bonds may be accepted, and also Circulars of 25th March, 1884, and 1st August, 1885.

the security required from the acting Officers should have no reference to the bonds of the established Officer or of his Sureties, and should not contain any clause which might be construed as interfering with or affecting in any manner the original bonds of the principal, either during his absence or on his return to duty. At the same time it is not intended that this precautionary instruction should prevent the Governor from accepting the additional security of the principal who may be about to absent himself on leave, should he be willing to enter into a new bond for his Substitute, or to join in the security to be given by such Substitute.

§ III. Regulations respecting the Incorporation of Banking Companies in the Colonies.

314. In Charters or legislative Enactments relating to the Incorporation of Banking Companies in the Colonies, provision should be made for the observance of the following regulations and conditions.

315. The Amount of the Capital of the Company and Number of Shares to be determined; and the whole of such determined amount to be subscribed for within a limited period, not exceeding Eighteen Months from the date of the Charter or Act of Incorporation.

316. Shareholders to be declared a Body Corporate, with common seal and perpetual succession, and other usual corporate powers; and with any requisite proviso that judgment against the Corporation shall attach to all additional liability of the Shareholders, as well as to paid-up Capital and other property of the Company.

317. Provision to be made, either by Recital and Confirmation of any Deed of Settlement in these respects or otherwise, for the duc Management of the Company's Affairs by Appointment of Directors, and so forth, so far as shall seem necessary for the security of the Public.

318. No bye-law of the Company to be repugnant to the conditions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, or to the Laws of any Colony in which the Company's Establishments may be placed.

319. The Corporate Body thus constituted may be specially empowered, subject to the conditions hereafter mentioned, to carry on for a limited term of years (not to exceed Twenty-one Years unless under particular circumstances), and within the Colony or Colonies specified in the Charter or Act of Incorporation, but not elsewhere, the Business of Banker; and for the like term to issue and circulate within the said Colony or Colonies, but in such manner only as shall not be at variance with any general Law of the Colony, Promissory Notes payable in Specie on Demand.

320. Such Banking Business or Issue of Notes not to commence or take place until the whole of the Fixed Capital of the Company has been subscribed for, and a moiety at least of the Subscription paid up. The remaining moiety of the Capital to be paid up within a given period from the date of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, such period not in general to exceed two years.

321. In all cases in which Shares in the Company's Stock are transferred between the period of the Grant of the Charter or Act of Incorporation and the actual commencing of business by the Bank, the responsibility of the original holder of the transferred Shares to continue for Six Months at least after the date of the transfer."

322. The Company not to advance Money on Security of Lands, or Houses, or Ships, or on pledge of Merchandize, nor to hold Land or Houses, except for the transaction of its business, nor own Ships, or be engaged in Trade, except as Dealers in Bullion or Bills of Exchange; but to confine its transactions to discounting Commercial Paper and negotiable Securities, and other legitimate Banking Business: the Company may, however, accept Lands, or Houses, or Ships, or Shares in its Capital or Stock, or other Real or Personal Property in liquidation of, or as a Security for any Debt bonâ fide previously due to the Company, or as a security for payment of any Sum for which any person may have rendered himself liable to the Company, and hold them for such reasonable time as may be necessary to dispose of and convert the same into Money.

323. The Company not to hold Shares in its own Stock, nor to make advances on the security of those shares.

324. The Discounts or Advances by the Company, on securities bearing the name of any Director or Officer thereof, as drawer, acceptor, or endorser, not to exceed at any time one-third of the total Advances and Discounts of the Bank.

325. The dividends to Shareholders to be made out of Profits only, and not out of the subscribed Capital of the Company.

326. The total amount of the Debts and Liabilities of the Company, whether upon Bonds, Bills, Promissory Notes, or otherwise contracted, over and above the amount of Deposits on Banking Accounts with the Company's Establishments, not to exceed at any time three times the amount of the capital stock subscribed and actually paid up.

327. No Promissory or other Notes to be issued for Sums under 17. sterling (or in the North American Colonies 17. Halifax currency), or the equivalent thereof in any other local currency, and not for fractional portions of such Pound or other equivalent amount.

328. All Promissory Notes of the Company, whether issued from the Principal Establishment or from Branch Banks, to bear date at the place of issue, and to be payable on demand in Specie at the place of date. 329. The total amount of the Promissory Notes payable on demand, issued, and in circulation, not at any time to exceed the amount of the Capital Stock of the Company actually paid up. A reserve of specie always to be maintained equal to one-third of the amount of Notes at any time in circulation. 330. In the event of the assets of the Company being insufficient to meet its engagements, the Shareholders to be responsible to the extent of twice the amount of their subscribed Shares (that is, for the amount subscribed, and for a further and additional amount equal thereto).

331. Suspension of Specie Payments on Demand at any of the Company's Banking Establishments, for a given number of days (not in any case exceeding sixty) within any one year, either consecutively or at intervals, or other breach of the Special Conditions upon which the Company is empowered to open Banking Establishments or to issue and circulate Promissory Notes, to forfeit those privileges, which shall cease and determine upon such forfeiture as if the period for which they had been granted had expired. 332. The Company to make up and publish periodical Statements of its Assets and Liabilities monthly; showing, under the heads specified in the form which is inserted in the Appendix, p. 362, the