Despatch on the State of the Currency in Mauritius.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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TITLE CO. 882
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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
The Earl of Carnarvon to Sir Arthur Phayre, K.C.8.I., C.B.
(No. 229.) Sir,
Downing Street, November 19, 1875. THE attention of Her Majesty's Government having from time to time been drawn by successive Governors to the state of the currency in Mauritius, and most recently in your despatch dated lot February, 1875, and the subject having of late been one of anxious consideration to myself, I purpose now to inform you of the conclusions at which I have arrived, and to point out the steps which I desire should be taken, with as little delay sa possible, in order to place it in a satisfactory condition.
2. It does not appear from past correspondence that any clear expression of public opinion on titis question had been elicited in the Colony, nor that any definite proposals had been made from thence for establishing its metallic circulation on a sound basis, until 1871, when, in transmitting a request made by the two local banks that the value of the rupee should be fixed by law at 2., Sir Arthur Gordon in his covering despatch, without opposing that request, suggested that the example of Ceylon should be followed, and that in lieu of the existing currency, the rupee should become the solo legal' standard of value in Mauritius.
8. Neither in that nor in any previous des patch do I find it stated in what respect the
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