§ MR. GLADSTONEwished to know from the hon. Gentleman opposite, the Under Secretary for the Colonies, whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce during the present Session any Bill for the purpose of adding to, or altering, any of the provisions of existing statutes having reference to the territories of the Hudson's Bay Company in America, with a view of giving facilities to the proceedings of the Company, or of any settlement formed under it in Vancouver's Island? and if so, whether such Bill would certainly be introduced at an early period?
§ MR. HAWESsaid, the only Bill intend ed to be brought in by the Government was a Bill about to be introduced into the House of Lords by the noble Lord at the head of the Colonial Office, the object of which was to establish courts of judicature in Vancouver's Island. At present, the law required that persons should be sent for trial to the courts in Canada; but as it would be impossible to carry out that Act if Vancouver's Island was colonised, it was deemed necessary to introduce a Bill for the purpose of establishing courts of judicature in that island. The Bill for this purpose would be introduced before Easter.
§ Subject at an end.