CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4] — Page 606

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After Date to be notified by I'roclamation where Pay- ments to or by

Government are by Úrdi- Dance payable in British

Sterling, same

to be in Dol-

lars, &c., at 48. 2d.

'Title.

Empowering

the Governor to establish a Mint.

To appoint a Master.

Master to be empowered to coin Silver Colu.

Governor to

ORDINANCES Nos. 1. AND 2. OF 1864,

Conversion of British Currency.

Mint.

And whereas no such Day has been fixed by Proclama

as the Day for the Purposes in Her Majesty's said Proclamation ⚫ named to take Effect but such Day will be named as soon as conveniently may be;' Now be it enacted by His Excellency the Acting Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-

I. From and after the Day to be fixed by His Excellency the Governor or Officer administering the Government under the Power by Her said Majesty's Proclamation vested in him when- ever British Sterling has been or shaft have been or shall be specified in any Ordinance of this Colony, whether as Payments to be made to or by the Government of this Coloty, such Payments shall be made in Dollars and in such Multiples of the Cent and Mil or Cash and in Cents and Mils or Cash as shall be issued from Her Majesty's Mint as aforesaid only at the Rate of Four Slings and Two Pence to each Dollar,"

No. 2, or 1864.

An Ordinance for establishing a Mint in the Colony of

Hongkong.

[26th February, 1864.]

BE

E it enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-

I. That a Mint be established in Hongkong on such Site as the Governor or Officer administering the Government of the Colony may approve that a Chief Officer thereof shall be ap- pointed under the Title of Master, who shall be empowered to coin Silver Coin of such Weight and Fineness and of such Designs as may from Time to Time be approved by Her Majesty, from Dies to be furnished by the Master of the Royal Mint under such Regulations as may be prescribed by the Lords Commis- sioners of Her Majesty's Treasury.

II. That it may be lawful for the Governor or Officer adminis- frame Regula- tering the Government of the Colony, by aud with the Advice of tions for Re-

the Executive Council, to frame Regulations under which the ception at Mint of Silver Bul-

Mint shall receive Silver Bullion and coin the same; and to lion, &e. authorize the Retention (without reference to any Charge which may be imposed for the Expense of refining such Bullion) of such Proportion thereof, or of the Coin struck therefrom, by way of a Mint Charge or Seignorage, as shall be sufficient to defray the Expenses attending the Coinage; and to alter or attend such Regulations from Time to Time as may be found necessary.

Empowering Master to enter

into Contracts, subject to Go- vernor's Ap- proval. Appointing Four other principal Officers.

IfI. That the Master be empowered subject to the Approval of the Governor or Officer administering the Government of the Colony, to enter into such Contracts and to establish such Regu- lations for the orderly and convenient. Performance of the Dutics of the Mint as may be found necessary.

IV. That Four other principal Officers of the Mint shall be appointed:

Ist. The

ORDINANCE No. 2. or 1864.

Mint.

291

t. The Superintendent of the Bullion Office, who shall be Superintendent

responsible to the Master for the Receipt of Bullion and of Bullion the Delivery of Coin by the Mint; the safe Custody of Office. the same while in Charge of his Department; the faithful Conduct and accurate Record of all Transactions with the Public, and with the assaying, melting and coining De- partments of the Mint, including the Store, Cash, Bullion, and other Account; for the proper registering and safe Custody of Documents; and for the faithful and zealous Discharge of any other Duties which the Master may direct him to perform.

2nd. The Assayer, who will be responsible to the Master for Assayer.

the correct Assay of all Bullion brought to the Mint to be assayed or coined; for the correct Assay of the Bars cast for rolling and of the Coin struck at the Mint; for the Records thereof being kept with Care and Precision; and for the faithful and zealous Discharge of any other Duties which the Master may direct him to perform.

3rd. The Superintendent of the Coining Department and Ma- Superintendent chinery, who will be responsible to the Master for the of Coining De- Bullion delivered into his Charge by the Superintendent partment and

Machinery. of the Bullion Office; for its Conversion into Coin of the legal Weight, properly stamped with the authorized Dies; for the safe Custody and legitimate Use of the Dies; for the Operations of his Department being properly and economically conducted; for the Records thereof being kept with Care and Precision; and for the faithful and zealous Discharge of any other Duties which the Master or his Representative may direct him to perform.

4th. The Superintendent of the Melting Department, who will Superintendent

be responsible to the Master for the skilful and economical of Melting De- Direction of the Operations of melting and refining; for partment,

the Records thereof being kept with Care and Precision;

and for the faithful and zealous Discharge of any other Duties which the Master or his Representative may direct him to perform.

V. That all such other Officers and Servants of the Mint as Governor to

may be necessary shall be appointed from Time to Time by the appoint such Governor or Officer Administering the Government, subject to other Officers the Approval and Confirmation of the Secretary of State for the as may be Colonies.

necessary.

VI. That the Master shall faithfully and without unnecessary The Master to Delay after the Expiration of each Quarter prepare and forward make quarterly to the Governor the following Returus --

(1) Weight of Silver Bullion received from the Public by the

Bullion Office;

(2.) Weight melted previous to Assay;

(3.) Weight assayed and valued, and Value thereof; (4.) Weight refined;

(5.) Weight and Value of uncoined Bullion re-issued, and

Ainount charged for melting, assaying, and refining; (6.) Weight of each Description of Coin produced;

T 2

(7.) Weight

Returns.