§ THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said it was rendered necessary by the decision of the Government not to recommend the renewal of the licence of the Hudson's Bay Company for the exclusive trade over these territories, which expired in May last. Its objects were—first, to give power to the 255 Crown to nominate justices of the peace in the territories hitherto administered by the Company under their licence, who would dispose of the ordinary criminal cases, reserving, however, those of a graver nature for the tribunals of the neighbouring colonies of Canada or British Columbia; and to enable Her Majesty to make regulations for trading with the Indians.
§ Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next.