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to the importance of keeping down the cost of this coinage
if the Government of Hong Kong is to derive any profit
from it, we should be glad if you would consider whether
occasional visits by Mr Nash accompanied by an examination
and assay by the Royal Mint of a certain number of coins
taken from the bulk supplies, might not be considered suf-
ficiont precaution. This procedure has in the past been
considered sufficient with coinages undertaken for us by
the Birmingham Mint, and so far as we are able to judge, a
similar amount of supervision would meet the present re-
quirements of the case, and we should be glad if you should
see your way to agree to it.
I am, &c. &c.
Gentlemen,
(Sa) B. 2. Blake.
Royal Mint to Crown Agents.
3rd November 1900.
In reply to Mr Blake's letter of the 1st instant
I am directed by the llaster of the Mint to state that ho
has nothing to add to the opinion which he has already
oxpressed as to the desirability of securing full super-
vision of the coinage work about to be undertaken by the
Mint Birmingham Company for the Hong Kong Government.
The fee proposed to be charged for this work by
Mr Nash appears to be reasonable.
I am, £0. &c.
(Sd) Horace Seymour.
-3-
Crown Agent s