CO129-301 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [9-12] — Page 446

Enclosure 4

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REGE TO DEC 00

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Memorandum.

Having perused the minutes, and the let-

ters from the different banksconsulted, on the question of

the advisability of re-establishing a Mint in HongKong, I

have the honour to lay before you the following opinions and

suggestions; -

2. I cordially agree with the remarks of

the Colonial Treasurer; and an decidedly of opinion that a

Mint should be established in HongKong without delay.

3. The suggestions of the Acting Colonial

Secretary that the matter be referred to the Right Honourable

the Secretary of State for the Colonies for his permission

to carry out the work, and that Mr. Chatham, C.E.,now on leave

in England, be instructed to furnish an estimate of the cost

of equipping and erecting a mint sufficient for the purpose,

I most thoroughly endorse, and trust that they will be prompt-

ly acted upon.

4. I consider cost, a secondary question

if the revenue derivable from a Mint be anything like the

sum paid by this Government last year for minting coins,viz;-

£19,000; for, apart from the saving thus effected, I feel con-

fident the Mint would get a great deal more work, not only in

minting dollars for this Colony but also for the Chinese pro

vinces and for the Federated Malay States as well.

5. Another point that should not be lost

Ris

sight