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LAW AFFECTING CURRENCY.

1. Order in Council of Ith January, 1863, published in Government Gazette of 2nd May, 1863, declares that Mexican Dollars or other Silver Dollars of equivalent value duly authorised by the Governor of Hongkong shall be the only legal tender, and provides that Silver Coins representing some multiple of the cent or one- hundredth part of the said Dollars shall be a legal tender for any sum not exceeding Two Dollars, and that Copper or Pronze Coins representing the cent or one-hundredth part, or the mil or cash representing one-thousandth part af the Doliar shall be a legal tender for any sum not execeding One Dollar, Provides also as to the preparation and devices of such Coins to be issued from the Mint. See preamble to Local Ordinance 1 of 1864.

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1. Ordinance No. 1 of 1964 revites the above Order in Commeil, and provides that British Sterling is to be converted into Dollars at 48. 2d. per Dollar, when the Governor proclaims it.

1. Proclamation under Ordinance 1 of 1864.—See Gazette of 23μl January, 1864. By this Proclamation Ordinance 1 of 1864 is to take effect from 16th February, 186-4.

1. Ordinance 2 of 1861.—This Ordinance provides for the establishing of a Mint in the Colony (which was established and worked, but has been removed for some years.)

1. Governor's Proclamation in Gazette of 14th September, 1866.—This Proclamation recites Order in Comeil of 1863, and proclaims the Hongkong Dollar and Half-Dollar legal tender.

1. Treasury Regulations of 20th October, 1856, published in Gazette of 12th January, 1867.-These are ngulations for Dollar, Half-Dollar, and Subsidiary Coinage made in pursuance of Ordinance 2 of 1864 (the Hongkong Mint Ordinance, see. 2 of which empowers the Governor to frame regulations under which the Mint simll receive Silver Bullion, and coin the same),

1. Ordinance 6 of 1865, sections 13, and 20.—This Ordinance relates to the offence of forging Bank Notes.

1. Ordinance 10 of 1863.—Offences against Coinage, but sections 4, 5, 16, 17. 26, and 27 not in force by Proclamation in Gazette of 21st October, 1865, under the Ordinance.

1. Proclamation under Ordinance 10 of 18635.—See Guzelte of 21st October.-N.B.-This is important, as it promits the Chinese custom in South China of chopping Dollars.

Onder in Commeil, 27th November, 1875.—Rate for issue of Silver Dollar to Her Majesty's troops redneed from 18. 3d. to 45. 1d.

The above Currency consists of the following Coius, viz.:—

1. The Silver Dollar of Mexico.

1. The Hongkong Dollar and Hall-Dollar issned from Her Majesty's Mint. 3. Silver Coins issued from Her Majesty's Mint, representing :

(L.) One-ßfil part of the said Dollar, commonly called Twenty Cent Piece ;- (2.) Que-tenth part of the skid Dollar, commonly called Ten Cent Piece; nul (3.) One-twentieth part of the said Bollar, commonly called Five Cent Piece.

1. Copper or Bronze Coins, also issued from Her Majesty's Miut, representing :—

(1.) One-hundredth part of the said Dollar, and commonly called One Cent: and

Cash. (2.) One-twentieth part of the said Dollar, and commonly called Mil or

AMOUNT OF COIN IN CIRCULATION.

Approximate amount of Hongkong Dollars and Half-Dollars struck at the Hongkong Mint,...$1,421,487,00

Approximate amount of Heagkong Silver and Copper Subsidiary Coins (20, 10 and ♬ CentĮ

• pieres ; and 1 Cont and Mil pieces) put into circulation up to 31st Deecher, 1889........

$4,493,125,08

It is impossible to state how many of the above Coins, and of Coins of other denominations are in cirenlution, lus the probability is that of the Hongkong Silver Coins there is not 10 per cent, of the total issue at the present fine within the Colony. The importation of Copper Coin has been discontinued.