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That it appears the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, by instructions dated in March, 1852, have virtually transferred the whole control of the Customs Department to the Colonial Government, and that the accounts of that Department have, since July, 1853, been under those instructions, audited and passed by the Auditor-General, while the Governor has, of his own authority, determined the nature and amount of the various charges incident to the collection of the import duties of the Colony. That, inasmuch as by the 63rd clause of the Constitution Act, notwithstanding such transfer had been virtually made, as aforesaid, before the passing of the Act, the regulation and audit of the said costs and charges is still reserved to the Lords of the Treasury, it appears to this House to be necessary, in order to carry into legal effect such transfer (so far as the same may be done without Act of Parliament), that the Lords of the Treasury shall issue directions to the Governor, requiring him to be guided in the regulation and audit of the said costs and charges, by the concurrence with his Excellency of the other branches of the Legislature in order to the same being brought into the Appropriation Act. That, in the opinion of this House, it is highly advisable that in any measure proposed to be submitted to Parliament for altering the Constitution Act, a clause should be introduced absolutely transferring to the General Assembly the control of the Customs Department, with the regulation and audit of the costs and charges thereof. That, pending such instructions by the Treasury, or such alteration in the Constitution Act this House do, by resolutions, determine what, in its opinion, ought to be the nature and amount of the said costs and charges, and do respectfully address the Governor, praying that his Excellency will be pleased to adopt such resolutions for the guidance of the Executive Government. HUGH CARLETON, Chairman of Committees. Acting during the Speaker's temporary absence for the day.