the Crown Agents have contracted with Messrs Ralph Heaton & Sons of Birmingham for the supply of the silver coins required by the Government of Hong Kong.
We enclose copy of a letter from Mr. Fremantle on the subject, and have the honor to request you to be good enough to move the Lords Commissioners to give the necessary authority to the Master of the Mint for delivering to Messrs Heaton the punches for the 20, 10 and 5 cent pieces of the Hong Kong silver currency.
I venture to suggest that this Coinage should be executed under the supervision of the Master of the Mint, which course, I learn from Mr. Fremantle, would involve only an Officer being sent down to Birmingham from the Royal Mint to inspect the coin before shipment, and a few pieces assayed at the Mint.
I have, &c.
(signed) W. C. Sargeaunt.
Gentlemen,
Royal Mint, 4th April 1870.
With reference to your letter of the 3rd Instant, I am directed by the Master of the Mint to inform you that he will require the authority of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury before he can deliver to Messrs Heaton & Sons the Punches for the Coinage of subsidiary pieces.
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