In the reply to this Letter the following
Number should be quoted.
276
Jerribits, however that in view of the benefit which will result to Commercial Interests generally, the Imperial Government should fairly be called upon in some shape to assist in its maintenance, directly or indirectly, and contends that an intimation was given to him at the period when he submitted the proposal to this Department -
be refused.
that this would not
He further suggests that before any final decision is arrived at the opinion of certain gentlemen intimately connected with commerce in China and the East should be invited on the subject which suggestion the Master of the Mint, in his Report of July 25, concurs.
The Estimates which have been forwarded by the Governor for the year 1868 shew that the total annual cost of maintaining the mint for the ensuing year 1868/9 is estimated at $75,000 inclusive of the Establishment and the necessary services for carrying it while the whole amount of actual profit realized since its opening in 1866 was about $18,000, or about $12,000 in the year.
Love this it is evident that the loss to the Colony is very considerable
The question therefore for the consideration of their Lordships is whether the circumstances are such as to justify any contribution being made from Imperial Funds, with a view of ascertaining ultimate success or whether any in a financial point...