Governor Sir John Young to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

(No. 53.)

I have the honour to inform your Grace that the Legislative Council of this Colony has been duly reconstructed, as required by the terms of the 3rd clause of the Constitution Act.

2. I enclose copies of the "Gazette" containing a list of the names of the gentlemen appointed. Seats were in the first instance offered to 27 gentlemen, that being the number fixed upon as suitable and convenient; five declined the offer on grounds of a personal and private nature, and one was objected to by Ministers as announcing in his answer his intention of opposing the Land Bills and generally the policy of the Government.

Seats were then offered to three others, of whom two accepted, and one declined on private grounds. This leaves the number at 23 for the present, but it is understood that as occasion may arise four more names may be added, so as to complete the number up to 27, which is taken as the complement not to be exceeded, except under very special and exceptional circumstances.

3. Of this list of 23, 12 were in the late Legislative Council; some others held seats in past times, and three filled the office of Attorney General in former administrations. All are gentlemen of high standing and character, and the names of the ablest and most distinguished persons in the Colony are to be found in the list.

4. The selection has created a very favourable impression on the public mind, and forms a body to which the important functions to be discharged by an Upper House may be safely assigned.

5. There is sent herewith a copy of the Minutes of the Executive Council, which will put your Grace in possession of all particulars, and of the result of the Ministerial deliberations.

6. I have already had occasion, in former Despatches, and in my answer to Sir W. Burton's statement, to speak at length of the perplexities of the situation and the political excitement I had to face on my arrival; I shall not therefore allude to them further than to say that I feel happy in thinking that the reconstruction, though complicated by so many causes of doubt and anxiety, has thus been happily accomplished in accordance with the wise suggestions of your Grace's Despatch of the 4th February last.