I would next invite Your Lordship's attention to the enclosed opinions of the leading Bankers on the probable fortunes of the mint and regret much that the fruits of their great practical experience hold out no more cheerful prospect than the Commission of Inquiry appointed by myself.
Of the four Bankers - one, the Manager of the Oriental Bank, quite acquiesces with the Commission. The Manager of the Chartered Mercantile Bank, thinks, as does the Commission, that to make the British dollar pass in China is hopeless without the aid of the Chinese Government.
The Manager of the Comptoir d'Escompte says that there is no hope for the Mint unless the Hongkong Dollar be made more tempting by containing more silver than other dollars or by forcing it on the population of the neighbouring Ports and the Straits - extreme measures which he justly pronounces "impracticable" and "impossible."
Mr. Fraser, Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, concurs generally with the Commission and also declares a