360
steadily maintained.
12.
Already I hear on all sides both in the Council and out of it loud cries against increased taxation, while the Mint remains a charge to the Colony, and Mr. Whittall, the Senior Unofficial Member of Council and Head Partner in China of the Firm of Jardine Matheson & Co., has gone so far as to ask me to appoint a commission to enquire into the working of the Mint with the avowed idea of wishing to disestablish it.
This I have for the present refused because the Mint is just about to commence issuing a quantity of subsidiary coins, the demand for which is greater than the supply, and I think any inquiry would be premature if undertaken before the result of this large experiment be ascertained.
Nevertheless there can be no doubt that the establishment of the Mint any chance of success will require much additional Machinery and a largely increased Staff, but neither the Financial position of the Colony, nor the wishes of the Community, nor the present prospects of the Mint would warrant me in doing this at present.
About next February or sooner I shall be in a position to nominate a Commission of inquiry into the Mint - whose report may serve to guide Her Majesty's Government to a correct conclusion.