470
6.
The coinage of Dollars at Hong Kong is however so uncertain, and the data so indefinite that I propose to leave the question aside, and to estimate for the production of 3,000,000 subsidiary pieces a fortnight, none of which will be larger than a 20 cent piece, and all of which will be of one metal. Moreover, it is assured that the hours of work will be 47 weekly, and the rate of work similar to that here, that the motive power will be electricity throughout the works, and that coal or producer gas will be available as fuel when needed.
1.
On this basis, the cost of appliances &c is estimated as follows:-
Bullion Office £450
Melting House 860
Grinding Room 80
Coining Room 9,200
Cutting, Annealing, Presses and Weighing)
Assay Office 425
Motive Power 2,500
Mechanics' Shop 675
Various 700
£14,890 say £15,000
4. This total would, it is believed, include cost of packing and free delivery on board in London or Liverpool, but is exclusive of cost of freight and of erection at Hong Kong.
9. But exclusive also of this outlay, there is the question of the building necessary to house this machinery, and the staff required to carry out the work of a Mint. The cost of this cannot be estimated here. It depends whether the Hong Kong Government have ground available or whether they will have to purchase, and at what price; whether the old Mint Buildings are available, and in good repair, or whether they will have to build anew.
There is a further point raised in the correspondence enclosed by the Colonial Office, as to the importation of silver. It should be understood that this silver must be refined, otherwise the cost of a refinery will have to be added to the cost of a Mint. It will be advisable to lay down the rule that the bullion must be brought to the Mint in a coinable condition.
10. It should be understood that if coins are turned out of a larger size than 20 cent pieces of the local currency, coining presses of a larger size will be required, and for dollars the presses will cost about £800 each. In the estimate given above nine presses at £405 each have been provided for.
There is the further question of the staff required to work and repair the machinery for which I have given an estimated cost. We may take this roughly at 56 workmen and a supervising and clerical staff of not less than 10 persons. The cost must depend on local rates of pay, and can only be estimated in the Colony.
There will be a further staff for the Assay Office of an Assayer, Assistant Assayer and not less than 5 assistants.
I am afraid that the information at present available is not sufficient to enable me to reply fully to the questions asked in the Colonial Office letter.
Apart
470
6.
The coinage of Dollars at Hong Kong is however so uncertain, and the data so indefinite that I propose to leave the question aside, and to estimate for the produc- tion of 3,000,000 subsidiary pieces a fortnight, none
a 20 cent piece, and all of Moreover, it is assured
of which will be larger than
which will be of one metal.
that the hours of work will
be 47 weekly, and the rate of work similar to that here, that the motive power will be electricity throughout the works, and that coal or producer gas will be available as fuel when needed.
1.
On this basis, the cost of appliances &c is
estimated as follows:-
Bullion Office
Melting House
Grinding Room
Room
Coining in Cutting
Annealing, Presses
and Weighing)
£450
860
80
9,200
Assay Office
Motive Power
425
2,500
Mechanics' Shop
Various
675
700
£14,890 say £15,000
4. This total would, it is believed, include cost of packing and free delivery on board in London or Liverpool, but is exclusive of cost of freight and of erection at Hong Kong,
But
9. But exclusive also of this outlay, there is the question of the building necessary to house this machinery, and the staff required to carry out the work of a Mint.
The cost of this cannot be estimated here. It de pends whether the Hong Kong Government have ground available or whether they will have to purchase, and at what price; whether the old Mint Buildings are available, and in good repair, or whether they will have to build anew. There is a further point raised in the correspondence enclosed by the Colonial Office, as to the importation of silver. It should be understood that this silver must be refined, otherwise the cost of a refinery will have to be added to
the cost of a Mint. It will be advisable to lay down the rule that the bullion must be brought to the Mint in
a coinable condition.
lo. It should be understood that if coins are
L
turned out of a larger size than 20 cent pieces of the
local currency, coining presses of a larger size will
be required, and for dollars the presses will cost about
£800 each. In the estimate given above nine presses at
£405 each have been provided for
•
There is the further question of the staff
required to work and repair the machinery for which I
have given an estimated cost. We may take this roughly at
56 workmen and a supervising and clerical staff of not less than 10 persons. The cost must depend on local
rates of pay, and can only be estimated in the Colony.
There will be a further staff for the Assay Office of
an Assayer, Assistant Assayer and not less than 5 assistants
I am afraid that the information at present available is
not sufficient to enable me to reply fully to the questions
asked in the Colonial Office letter.
Apart
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