48:45 ROYAL GAZETTE.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29. 1869.

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PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. Dowxmo STREET, Dec. 8, 1868. SIR,-—~

The Queen has had occasion to observe. that the. con- stant progress of the British Empire in population, wealth and enterprise, and the increased Opportunities thus happily afforded to Her subjects of rendering ef- fective services to their Sovereign and their country, have in some respects outgrown Her Majesty’s means of recognizing those Services in a fitting manner. lou are aware that with the object of sopplying that de- ficiency, it was found requisite in the year 1847. to enlarge and modin the ancient Order of the Bath; and more recently that Her Majesty has been pleased to create a new order of Knighthood—the Star of India— for the reward of services rendered in relatimi to Her Indian Empire. The sphere ofusel’ulnoss and eminence which is now open in the British Colonies, is so varied and extensive as to render it in Her Majesty’s judg- ment. advisable; that to them as to India a special form of distinction should be appropriated.

For this purpose Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to sanction such a modification of the Statutes of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, originally instituted by King George the Third. in connection with His Majesty’s Mediterranean Possessions. and now pre- sided over by a. Prince of the Blood Royal, togother with such an enlargement ofits members as will render it available as a. rcWard of distinguished merit or services in any part. of Her Majesty’s Colonial Possessions.

I annex for publication in the Colony under your Government, COpics of so much of the new Statutes as prescribes the qualifications for admission into the Order and-the number of the Knights.

The Queen is confident that this measure will be re- coivod by Her subjects as an evidence of the importance which Her Majesty attaches to Her Colonial Dominions, as integral parts of the British Empire. of Her constant interest in their progress. and of Her desire that services of which they are the scene, or the occasion. may not pass Without adequate and apprOpriate recognition.

I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, (Signed) BUCKINGHAM 86 CHANDOS. Lt. Governor Dundas, &c.. &c , &c.

Extracts from the Statutes of the Most Dislikguiskml Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, dated the 4th December, 1868. ‘

It is Ordained, that this Most Distinguished Order shall contain Three Classes. as in Our said Letters- Patont mentioned, to be Styled and Designated re- spectively—

Knights Grand Cross. Knights Commanders, and Companions.

It is Ordained, that the First Class, or Knights Grand Cross. shall not exceed Twenty-five in Number.

It is Ordained. that the Second Class. or Knights Commanders. shall not exceed Sixty in Number.

It is Ordained. that the Third Class. or Companions. shall not exceed One hundred in Number.

It is Ordained, that the Persons to be admitted into this most Distinguished Order, shall be snob natural- born Subjects of Our Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as may have held. orshall hereafter hold, High and Confidential Offices within any of Our Colonial Possessions, or such other natural-born

Subjects of Our Crown ofthe United Kingdom of Grunt Britain and Ireland, as may have held. or shall hvrt’ni‘Wr hold. Hieh and Confidential Offices. or may render l-lx- traordinary and'Iinportant Services to Us as Sovereign of the Unighted Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. in relation to any of Our Colonial l’t-isscssions. or who may beComo eminently Distinguished tin-ruin by tin-ii- Talents. Merits. Virtues, Loyalty, or Services. or who how are. or hereafter may be, appointed Oh‘iccrs ofthis Most Distinguished ()rder.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

No. 3. DUWNING STREET. Dec. 31, 1868. Sm.—

I have the honor to inform You that Ilcr Majosty will not be advised to exercise IIer poWer of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Legislature of Prince Edward Island; transcripts of which accompanied Mr. Dundas’s Despatch. No. 102. of the 17th of October last. viz: Cap. 3. of 1808.

“An Act. turthcr to amend and explain the Land Purchase Bill,” and Cap. 4. ot'1868.

“ An Act to encourage the settlement and cultivation of public Wilderness Lands."

I transmit to you for your information, an extract from a Report by the Land and Emigration Com mis- sioners on the subject. of the latter Act.

I have the honor to be. Sir. Your most ohcdit‘nt humble Servant, (Signed) GRANVILLE. The Oflicer Administering The Government of Prince Edward Island.

Extract of a letterfrom Mr. M’urdock. to Sir F. Rogers. dated Emigration Board, 3rd September. 1868.

“ 3. The second Act authorizes the Lieutenant. Gov- ernor in Council to set out any part of the Wilderness Lands of the Colony in Farms of not less than 50, nor more than 100 acres, to be sold at such price as the Lieutenant Governor in Council may fix. The pur- chase money is not. however, to be payable till the ex- piration cl 8 years from the date of the Deed of Convey- ance, but the purchaser is to be bound to erect a house or buildings on the land, 20 feet square by 8 feet high; to clear one aere annually, and to pay all taxes and as- sessments due for the land. Failure to erect a house. or to clear the Spc iified extent of land, is to operate a forfeiture of the Deed of Conveyance. No purchaser is to obtain more than one farm under this Act.”

“4. The objections to selling land on conditions of occupation with deferred payments have been so often stated, that it is almost unnecessary to repeat tlicm. Where occupation has taken place, and capital and labor have been echnded on the land, it is dillicult without the appearance of hardship to visit any failure-

! to fulfil the conditions of the purcha—e with forfeiture of

the land. The consequence has generally been that the conditions are left unfulfilled and the land is not for- feited. In the present case the small extent of tho Farms will render the enforcement of the conditions easier, while the proviso that no purchaser shall acquire more than one farm, if strictly enforced. will obviate the risk of the land falling in to the hands ofland johbcrs. I observe that personal occupation of the land until the purchase money becomes payable, is not made obli- gatory on the grantee. It may perhaps be taken for granted, that those who will purchase under this Act, will almost, as a matter of course. live on their land. In that case there can be no doubt but that for their own sakes they will be compelled to clear and improve the land at a more rapid rate than the conditions require.”

COUNCIL OFFICE. Jan. 15, 1869. IS Honor the Administrator of the Government in Council. has been pleased to appoint John Andrew McDonald, Esq.. Post Master General of this Island in the place of Thomas Owen. Esq . deceased. '

CHARLES DesBRISAY. C. E. C.