12
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH JANUARY, 1864.
I have settled this draft in communication with the Master of the Mint as directed by the Secretary of State.
Mexican Dollars-now the only legal tender in Hongkong-are quoted at present in London at 5/6 per oz., while Bar Silver is but 5/11. At this price Mexican Dollars are at a premium of about 13 per cent-beyond their intrinsic value, even in this country, and they hear a still higher premium in China; and the heavy loss which, in consequence of the scarcity of this coin, falls not only on all engaged in the foreign trade of China, but also on the Imperial Exchequer renders it very desirable to press forward the project of a Mint at Hongkong with the utmost despatch.
I recommend therefore that this draft ordinance with a copy of the correspondence which has passed on the subject be forwarded by the next Mail to the Officer administering the Government of the Colony to be laid before the Legislative
Council.
I would advise also in view of the heavy loss which is at present falling on the Imperial Exchequer, a loss which I roughly estimate at the rate of between £30,000 and £40,000 per annum, that a Master be appointed at once without waiting for the return of the Ordinance to this country, and also that the arrangements which must be made here, such as determining the standard and ordering the machinery and dies should be proceeded with without delay.
The Master of the Royal Mint is of opinion that the appointment of a Master is the first step necessary, as he considers that the arrangements before referred to should be carried out under the immediate superintendence of the Master; and he is further of opinion that these arrangements will take about six months to complete.
The number of subordinate Officers and servants that may be required, in addition to the five chiefs named in the Ordinance, cannot be determined at present, and the cost of the Machinery and Plant can only be ascertained by calling for tenders from the principal Manufacturers in this country.--I have, &c.,
(Signed) HERCULES G. R. ROBINSON.
SIR FREDERIC ROGERS, BART.
&c.,
&c., &c.
Draft Ordinance-Hongkong Mint.
Be it enacted:
1. That a Mint be established in Hongkong on such site as the Governor or Officer administering the Government of the Colony for the time being may approve; that a chief Officer thereof shall be appointed under the title of Master, who shall be empowered to coin Silver Coin of such Weight and fineness and of such designs as may from time to time be approved by Her Majesty, from dies to be furnished by the Master of the Royal Mint under such Regulations as may be prescribed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury.
2. That it may be lawful for the Governor or Officer administering the Government of the Colony for the time being, to frame regulations under which the Mint shall receive Silver Bullion and coin the same; and to authorize the retention (without reference to any charge which may be imposed for the expense of refining such Bullion) of such proportion thereof, or of the Coin struck therefrom, by way of a Mint charge or seignorage, as shall be sufficient to defray the expenses attending the coinage; and to alter or amend such regulations from time to time as may be found necessary.
3. That the Master be empowered subject to the approval of the Governor or Officer administering the Government of the Colony for the time being, to enter into such contracts and to establish such regulations for the orderly and convenient per- formance of the duties of the Mint as may be found necessary.
4. That four other principal Officers of the Mint shall be appointed.
1st. The Superintendent of the Bullion Office, who shall be responsible to the Master for the receipt of Bullion and the delivery of Coin by the Mint, the safe custody of the same while in charge of his department, the faithful conduct and accurate record of all transactions with the public and with the assaying, melting and coining Departments of the Mint, including the Store, Cash, Bullion, and other account, for the proper registering and safe custody of documents, and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Master may direct him to perform.
2nd. The Assayer who will be responsible to the Master for the correct assay of all Bullion brought to the Mint to be assayed or coined, for the correct assay of the Bars cast for rolling and of the Coin struck at the Mint, for the records thereof being kept with care and precision, and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Master may direct him to perform.
3rd. The Superintendent of the coining Department, and Machinery, who will be responsible to the Master for the Bullion delivered into his charge by the Superintendent of the Bullion Office, for its conversion into Coin of the legal weight, properly stamped with the authorized dies, for the safe custody and legitimate use of the dies, for the operations of his department being properly and economically conducted, for the records thereof being kept with care and precision and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Master or his representative may direct him to perform.
4th. The Superintendent of the Melting Department, who will be responsible to the Master for the skilful and econo- mical direction of the operations of melting and refining, for the records thereof being kept with care and precision, and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Master or his representative may direct him to perform. 5th. That all such other Officers and servants of the Mint as may be necessary shall be appointed from time to time by the Governor or Officer administering the Government, subject to the approval and confirmation of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
6th. That the Master shall faithfully and without unnecessary delay after the expiration of each quarter prepare and forward to the Governor the following returns:-
Weight of Silver Bullion received from the public by the Bullion Office;
Weight melted previous to assay;
Weight assayed and valued, and value thereof;
Weight refined;
Weight and value of uncoined Bullion re-issued, and amount charged for melting, assaying and refining; Weight of each description of Coin produced;
Weight of each description of Coin delivered to the public, and the amount, if any, charged for coining; Copy of the reports of the assay of Coin;
*
Number and description of dies received or completed during the quarter, of dies worn out, of dies effectually defaced, and of serviceable dies in hand.
A return, shewing the waste during the quarter, distinguishing the waste arising in melting, in refining, in coining, and in assaying.
And he shall forward any other returns which the Governor or Officer administering the Government of the Colony may require.
7th. That with a view to ensure the careful observance of the standard in the Coin the Governor or Officer administering the Government of the Colony shall cause to be taken at uncertain times during each quarter from amongst the Coins issued at the Mint to the public without preference in the selection, specimen pieces, and that such specimens shall be forwarded from time to time to the Master of the Royal Mint in London, for such examination as the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury may direct.