In the interests of the Colony only say that further Colonial expenditure on the Mint appears undesirable and that the establishment, if closed at all, should be closed as soon as practicable. If however Her Majesty's Government takes a different view and considers that the Colony should continue to expend a large portion of its income, between $60,000 and $90,000 per annum, on the Mint I have only to request that such decision may be clearly conveyed to me as an instruction from Her Majesty's Government, and I shall not fail to do my utmost to give full effect to it, for most heartily shall I rejoice if the forebodings of the Commission which were ... to Mr. Jean, and the Bankers be disproved by future results.
$9. On the other hand though I consider it unfair to impose on the small Community residing here the burden of expenditure and taxation to solve a problem of more interest to Hong Kong Residents than to Her Majesty's Subjects at Shanghai and Japan, I cannot but feel that as the establishment of the Mint was really as much if not more Imperial than a Colonial suggestion, and as the Colony has expended 4,50,000 dollars in carrying out that suggestion, Her Majesty's Government on whom must devolve the conduct of future negotiations with China may