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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH JANUARY, 1864.

Sir F. Rogers to Mr. Hamilton.

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DOWNING STREET, 30th March, 1863. SIR, I am directed by the Duke of Newcastle to annex for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury a copy of a letter received from Sir H. Robinson, Governor of Hongkong, proposing the establishment of a Mint at Hongkong for the Coinage of British Dollars.

2. This question being one within their Lordships peculiar cognizance His Grace will only observe that the care and ability which Sir H. Robinson has brought to the consideration of the currency question gives considerable weight to his opinion on the present subject. If their Lordships desire any further enquiry to be made into the subject in the Colony, His Grace will be ready to send out the necessary instructions.-I

am, &c.,

G. A. HAMILTON, Esq.,

(Copy.)

&c., &e., &c

Sir F. Rogers to Sir H. Robinson.

(Signed) F. ROGERS.

DOWNING STREET, 30th March, 1863. SIR, I am directed by the Duke of Newcastle to acknowledge your letter dated the 20th instant, proposing the establishment of a Mint at Hongkong for the coinage of British Dollars, and I am directed to inform you that your letter has been referred for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury,-I am, &c.,

SIR H. ROBINSON, Bletchington Park, Oxford.

Sir F. Rogers to Sir H. Robinson.

(Signed) F. ROGERS.

DOWNING STREET, 18th April, 1863. SIR,With reference to your letter dated the 20th ultimo, proposing the establishment of a Mint at Hongkong for the coinage of British Dollars, I'am directed by the Duke of Newcastle to annex a copy of a letter from the Board of Treasury dated the 10th instant expressing concurrence in your views, and I am directed to request in accordance with the suggestions made by the Lords Commissioners in the same letter, that you will submit to this Department after conferring with the Master of the Mint the details of the measures which you would recommend, together with the heads of a local ordinance, so far as you can suggest them for carrying your proposal into effect.-I am, &c.,

SIR H. ROBINSON.

Mr. Brand to Sir F. Rogers.

(Signed) F. ROGERS.

TREASURY CHAMBERS, 10th April, 1863.

SIR, With reference to your letter of the 30th ultimo, enclosing copy of a letter from Sir H. Robinson, Governor of Hongkong, proposing the establishment of a Mint at Hongkong for the coinage of British Dollars, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that my Lords concur with His Grace in opinion that the care and ability which Sir Hercules Robinson has brought to the consideration of the currency question give considerable weight to his opinion on the present subject and regarding his proposition for the establishment of a Mint at Hongkong, as the revival under new and more favorable circumstances of a similar one which was made a few years ago by his predecessor Sir John Bowring, my Lords are not inclined to interpose the delay of a further reference to the Colony, before adopting a measure which if successful, will in their opinion tend to complete the measures which originated with this Board for putting the currency of Hongkong on a satisfactory footing, and may also, it may be hoped, greatly facilitate the operations of British Trade throughout China and in Japan. My Lords are of opinion that the proposed Mint should be established at Hongkong by local enactment to be approved by the Queen, and that it should be placed under the control and supervision of the Master of the Mint, with a view to the assay and verification of the coins to be issued from it.

Their Lordships suggest that Sir H. Robinson should be invited to submit in detail the measures which he would propose for carrying into effect this important object, and they will instruct the Master of the Mint to give him every assistance in his power in maturing the necessary arrangements.-I am, &c.,

SIR F. ROGERS, BART.

Hongkong-No. 88.

(Signed) H. BRAND.

DOWNING STREET, 8th July, 1863.

SIR, With reference to my Despatch of the 19th April, marked Confidential, I transmit copy of further correspondence, as noted in the margin,* respecting the establishment of a Mint at Hongkong.

You will find annexed to Sir Hercules Robinson's letter of the 30th May, the draft of an ordinance which by my desire he has prepared as necessary for establishing the Mint.

The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have signified their approval of this Draft, and of the proposed appointments of Superintending Officers, and of the Salaries to be assigned to them as recommended by Sir H. Robinson.

I have authorized Sir H. Robinson to place himself in communication with the Master of the Mint, with reference to the immediate selection of a Gentleman for the appointment of Master of the Mint, in order that they may superintend and proceed with the arrangements that will have to be completed in England.

I have to instruct you to submit to the Legislative Council the whole of this correspondence, for their consideration, and with a view to the passing of an ordinance in accordance with the Draft now forwarded.

You will of course understand that the passing of this ordinance is only a preliminary step towards the establishment of the Mint, and that you are not required to move further in the matter until you receive instructions on the subject from myself. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

The Officer administering the Government of Hongkong.

NEWCASTLE.

(Copy.)

Sir Hercules Robinson to Sir Frederic Rogers.

LONDON, 30th May, 1863.

SIR, In compliance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 18th ultimo I submit herewith a draft of an ordinance for establishing a Mint in Hongkong.

* Sir H. Robinson, 30th May, 1863.

To Treasury, 6th June,

Treasury,

23rd

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