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COPY OF TREASURY MINUTE, DATED 2ora JUNE, 1850. My Lords refer to the arrangements respecting Customs establishments in the American and West Indian Colonies, directed by their Minutes of the 24th December, 1847,. 29th Julj, 18'49, and 29th January last; and to the provision made in those Colonies by substitution, in lieu of the establishment which had previously been employed under the managemi nt of the Board of Customs in the collection of both Imperial and Colonial duties, of such officers only as are required for ensuring due observance of the Imperial laws, relating to the navigation and trade, irrespective of any arrangements or appointments having reference to the collection of Colonial duties, or to enforcement of local laws and regulations ; and my Lords being of opinion that it is advisable that analagous arrangements should be adopted, as regards the settlements in Australia and New Zealand, and likewise as regards other Colonies where the collection of Customs duties, is made under authority of local Legislative enactments, or special orders of Her Majesty in Council, to raise revenue for the service of the Colonial Government, or for other local objects, they direct that a letter be written to the Commisioners of Customs, adverting to the views above stated, and desiring the Commissioners will report to my Lords what portion of the business transacted by the present establishments, at the stations hereafter specified, it will be necessary to make provision for, with a view to the above mentioned Imperial objects, and what officers it will bo necessary to retain for that purpose, in cases where it may not be expedient to employ officers belonging to the Colony— In the several Australian Colonies, New Zealand, Natal, Ceylon, St. Helena, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Cape of Good Hope, The Gambia, Also desire the Commissioners will report the names of the officers constituting the actual establishments under their direction in the Colonies in question, with their several periods of service and rates of salary, showing what claims these officers, if at present reduced, might have to retired or redundant allowance from the funds of this country. Also desire the Commissioners will report whether the adoption of the arrangements above adverted to, will render it necessary or expedient that any alteration should be made in the Orders in Council, whereby trade is at present regulated and duties are levied at the Cape of Good Hope and Natal, or Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and St. Helena. COPY OE EARL GREYS DESPATCH. Dowsing Street, Bth August, 1850. 1. I herewith transmit, for your information and guidance, the copy of a minute* of the Lords . ommissioners of the Treasury, relative to the Customs establishment in the Colony under your government. From that Mmute you will perceive that the Customs Establishments in S and in the other Colonies therein mentioned, arc, with the exception of such officers consMWW 7 Im P.enal objects, to be considered henceforth as Colonial establishments ; and consequently, that, as vacancies may occur, the appointments will be liable to reduction or modification as may be found expedient with reference to the requirements of the local trade and mlnu'th t re I °° m I mendl "- an y Sllch changes you will, however, take especial care to avoid arrangements that would place officers prematurely on the Retired List. of thfs 1 Sh ° Uld eXpkin t0 7 ° U th ° considerations which have led to the adoption duties'JStfi 4o rei T al ' h l ai i th , ority of the Act of 9th and 10th Victoria, chapter 94, of the retaWS t 1 Col -° UieS Under the Act Bth and 9th Victoria, chapter 93, for thSn£i! 6 . P° s »B abroad, establishments were maintained in almost all as officers undTr tbit T* '"JtTot If, I ° ard ot Customß ttis country, and holding appointments of Colonial ,1, f "i ° T n'i • 10 1 Si estal; >h s liments were also, in most cases, employed for the collection CoM rltSe 'r?% a VTfv ; - the GXpenSe ° f thcm waa in Senegal defrayed partly from the was provided entirely from The Tatter.' CoUntl7 ' ai ' d Tetlremeut or superannuation of the officers ad p 6 f ed to \ of * hc Possessions' Act duties, has been followed, in the North substitution for thorn t' Colomes > b >" tlle removal of those Home Customs establishments, and the übstitution for them of one or two officers only, with yppointments from the Lords Commissioners of

Tk * Minutes in Treasury Letter of sth July, 1850.