Viscount Haldane:—

This is an appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada in a petition of right which gave rise to questions of constitutional importance as to the position of joint-stock companies, incorporated within the provinces, but seeking to carry on their business beyond the provincial boundaries.

The appellants were incorporated in Ontario by letters patent, dated 23rd December, 1904, and issued under the authority of the Ontario Companies Act (Rev. Stat. Ont., 1897, c. 191), and by virtue of any other authority or power then existing, in the name of the Sovereign and under the Great Seal of the province, by its Lieutenant-Governor. The letters patent recite that this Act authorises the Lieutenant-Governor in Council by letters patent under the Great Seal to create and constitute bodies corporate and politic for any of the purposes or objects to which the legislative authority of the province extends. They go on to incorporate the company to carry on the businesses of mining and exploration in all their branches, and to acquire real and personal property, including mining claims, with incidental powers. There are no words which limit the area of operation, or proh