The Govcrnment.—This consists of a governor-in-chief, with a secre tary, treasurer, and auditor-general, with the necessary subordinates, and an executive council, all appointed by the imperial government at home. By the 18 and 19 Viet., cap. 54, passed in August, 1855, there are to be a legislative council, consisting of such number (not fewer than 21) as the governor and council may determine. There is also to be a legislative assembly of 54 members. For the legislative assembly, the qualifications of electors are, that they must be natural born or naturalised subjects of her Majesty, of the age of 21, possessing a freehold estate within the district of 100/. clear value above all incumbrances or charges on it, for at least six months before the date of the writ or the last registration, or occupying a dwelling.house for six months of the clear annual value of 10/., or a lodging of 105 yearly rent, or having a salary of 100/. a year, or holding a licence to depasture lands within the district, or holding a leasehold estate in the district of the yearly value of 10/. of which the lease has not less than three years to run, and on which in all cases the rates and taxes due to -within three months of such election or registration have been paid, and who is not attainted of treason, or convicted of felony, &c. No minister of religion can be a member. The legislature, when constituted, is to administer, in conjunction with the governor, the affairs of the colony, without reference to the mother country, except in such cases as the governor may think doubtful or important enough to require to be brought under the special consideration of the home government. The
amount of the civil list specified in the Act, including the expense of the civil and judicial establishments of the colony, is 64,3001.; and a sum of 28,0001. a year is likewise to be appropriated for the purposes of public worship. The waste lands in the colony are to be under the management of the colonial legislature.
The governor and council are empowered to levy customs on goods imported, but no duty is to be imposed on any article from one country that is not alike imposed on the same article from other countries. No duties however are to be levied on articles imported for the supply of her Majesty's land or sea forces ; nor have they the power allowed them to grant any exemption, or impose any duty, at variance with any treaty concluded by her Majesty with any foreign power.
In the administration of justice there are a chief judge and three puisne judges, with an attorney-general, a solicitor general, and a crown solicitor. Magistrates are appointed in the various districts by the governor, and quarter sessions and petty sessions are held be various places at frequent intervals.