and people go out of their way to avoid the consequences of the Act. Doing so of course gives trouble and the Act is accordingly as unpopular as might be expected. From what I hear I shld. think the increase to 2d. will produce less revenue in that item than accrued under the 1d. It was decidedly the greatest mistake made last session but there is time enough for it to be forgotten before the Assembly will meet again. You will have noticed the recent proceedings in the Prov. Council here and the resolutions passed in favor of Provincial Institutions. I have enquired so far as opportunity has allowed and find great difference of opinion on this subject so much so that I doubt very much whether the Prov. Council can be taken as at all an index to public opinion. As I said before a very great deal depends upon how Public Works succeed - the difficulty is that so short a time is allowed us to set things going. As to any result before the Assembly