A STUDY IN LEGAL ADMINISTRATION AND RECORDS SHARON ...

and judicial powen."= Macdonell, and a council, were to administer justice in
Assiniboia. However, under the Canada Jurisdiction Act the govemor of Lower
Canada had been given power to appoint magistrates to the 'Indian Territories."
Selkirk took the precaution of having Macdonell appointed as a magistrate.
Nevertheless, the confliding jurisdictions of the magistrates and the govemor
and council exacerbated tensions in the colony. especïally dufing the period of
the greatest rivalry between the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West
Some clarification of authority was obtained in 181 5 when the company
deterrnined that:
there be a Governor-in-Chief and Council having
paramount authority over the whole of the Company's
territories in Hudson's Bay, that such govemor, with
any two of his Council, might form a Council for the
administration of justice and the exercise of the
power vested in them by the Charter ...?
The wmpany also decided that the Govemor and Council of the District of
Assiniboia would have the same powers, unless the two govemors should be in
residence at the same time, in which case the Governor-in-Chief would take
precedence. Provision was made for the appointment of a sheriff for Assiniboia.
Much of the tension and strife that had plagued the colony was removed
Men the two fur trading companies merged. The British govemment decided
not to send judges to the 'Indian Territories." The Hudson's Bay Company and
the Selkirk estate were to retain responsibility for administering the district of