lonial
representatives, the suggested amendments were not pressed and the
measure passed through both Houses with very little discussion. But one
spirit seemed to animate both the imperial government and the members of
parliament, and that was to give the provinces interested the fullest
powers consistent with their relation to the Empire. The parliamentary
opposition to the measure was much less than might have been expected,
when it is remembered that the opponents of confederation had
representatives in London, well able to present objections from their
standpoint, who had the ear of Mr. Bright and other members of the House
of Commons. Her Majesty took a deep interest in the measure and
expressed that interest to members of the delegation, adding that she
felt a great affection for her loyal Canadian subjects. While the bill
was before the House of Lords, Messrs. Macdonald, Cartier, Galt, Tupper
and Tilley were honoured by a private presentation to Her Majesty, at
Buckingham Palace, and shortly afterwards all the members of the
conference were presented at a drawing-room at the same place.

{COUNTY COURT ACT}

The New Brunswick delegates returned to Canada in the spring of 1867,
having completed their labours, and the legislature was called together
on May 8th. The business before it was of great importance, for the
province was entering upon a new era as a member of the Canadian
confederation, and the legislature was about to lose that portion of its
powers which was delegated to the federal parliament. It is not,
however, necessary to enter into any details of the work of the session,
which was carried through without any particular difficulty, the
Opposition being too weak to oppose seriously the measures of the
government. It was felt on all sides that, as twelve members of the
legislative council were about to become members of the senate of
Canada, and as fifteen representatives were to be elected to the House
of Commons, most of whom would come from the House of Assembly, a
striking change would take place in the composition of the legislature,
which would be deprived of the services of a large number of its ablest
men. One of the important bills of the session was the passage of the
Act establishing county courts in the province, and in respect to this
measure a difference of opinion took place between Mr. John M. Johnson,
one of the delegates and member for Northumberland, and his fellow
delegates to Engl