Dollars is made misdemeanour. There was, however, a suspending and pending clause to the Ordinance which provided that the Ordinance or such portion or portions thereof as to the Governor fit should take effect on such day as should thereafter be fixed by Proclamation.
A Proclamation was published, bringing the Ordinance into operation except sections 4, 5, 16, 17, 26, and 27, see Government Gazette 1865, p. 507. Those sections have never since been brought into operation, but it is obvious that whilst the law stands at present declaring that the chopping of dollars is a misdemeanour (although suspended in its operation) the Government can take no steps towards declaring chopped dollars legal tender.
With regard to the American Trade Dollar, it would appear that the Governor is authorized under the Order in Council to declare it legal tender if it is certified that it is of equivalent value to the Dollar of Mexico.
(signed) Grange Phillips
Attorney General
5th May 1877
True copies,
Colonial Secretary.