CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 182

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Master is unable to undertake fortnightly shipments and does not even bind himself to supply monthly instalments of the

,

same amount and subsequent inquiries have had the same result, nor is the Deputy Master able to undertake the $100,000 in 5 cents due in Hong Kong by the 18th August.

In these circumstances I would suggest that if by

the 1st July at the latest a reply should not have been received from the Indian authorities agreeing to undertake the remainder of the coinage, or some portion of it, a further order for 1,000,000 dollars should be entrusted to the Birmingham Mint, thus securing the reduced rate of 3 per cent offered by Messrs Heaton.

We would propose also to give the Birmingham Mint at once an order for the $100,000 in 5 cent pieces which should be shipped by the P. & 0. steamer of 12th July at

latest.

We have informed the Government of Hong Kong by today's mail of the action which we have taken in the matter, and I beg to add that we should be glad if the Secretary of State should think fit to point out to the Governor that the use of the word lacs in connection with a dollar coinage is ambiguous and misleading and that it should not be made use of on any subsequent occasion.

We conclude that the question of the dies and punches which are required for coinage purposes has been considered in connection with the proposal to place the work in future in the hands of the Indian Mint.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your Obedient Servant,

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