H.—No. 6.

4

REPORT OE THE ROYAL MINT COMMITTEE.

Moved by the Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert, That the Clerk be requested to obtain all necessary papers relating to former proceedings respecting the advisability of taking steps for the establishment of a branch of the Eoyal Mint in this Colony. Carried. Moved by Mr. Curtis, seconded by Mr. Sheehan, That the Chairman do write or telegraph to the Deputy Masters of the Victoria and New South Wales Mints for information as to the necessary costs of such establishment. Carried. The meeting then adjourned.

Wednesday, 18th September, 1872. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Bunny, Mr. Williamson. Mr. Sheehan, Mr. O'Neill, Chairman. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Letters from Colonel Ward, Deputy Master of the Eoyal Mint, Melbourne, and from C. Elouis, Esq., Deputy Master of the Eoyal Mint, Sydney, were laid before the Committee by the Chairman, and read. Certain other documents relative to the Eoyal Mint at Melbourne were laid before the Committee by the Chairman, and read. Moved by Mr. Williamson, That the Chairman be directed to prepare for presentation to the House as soon as practicable an Interim Eeport, with the letters and information now laid before the Committee; and the House be moved to order such Interim Eeport, letters, and information to bo printed for the information of the honorable Members of both branches of the Legislature. Carried. Moved by Mr. Sheehan, That the Chairman convey to the Deputy Masters of Sydney and Melbourne Mints the thanks of the Committee for the valuable information and documents given by them to the Committee. Moved by Mr. Sheehan, That application be made to the Colonial Secretary for a Eeturn showing the annual export of gold from each Gold Field of the Colony during the five years ending 31st December, 1871. Carried. Mr. Bradshaw, M.H.E., in attendance, and gave evidence. The Committee adjourned.

MINUTES OE EVIDENCE. Wednesday, 18th September, 1872. J. B. Bradshaw, Esq., M.H.E., in attendance, and examined. 1. By the Chairman^ Mr. Bradshaw, in answer to certain questions, stated: —That he was an assayer and metallurgist. Had considerable experience in the buying and assaying of gold in the Colony of Victoria and New Zealand, both on his own account and for the banks. Was also on the staff of the Bank of Australasia as an assayer] in the Colony of Victoria. The quality of gold differs, not only in districts in the Colony of Victoria, but also in gullies and leads. Has assayed alluvial gold as low as twenty-two carats fine, and as high as within an eighth of purity. In New Zealand the alluvial gold in the Middle Island varies considerable in quality, and, like other parts of the world, the loss in melting is different in the same Province, and sometimes in the same locality. Has assayed New Zealand gold both in Victoria and in New Zealand. Gold is generally purchased at a fixed price agreed upon by the banks. In 1862-63 it was purchased at about £3 10s. to £3 lis. per ounce. It is now being purchased at £3 15s. and £3 16s. an ounce regardless of the quality. 2. What would be the advantage of the establishment of a branch of the Imperial Mint in the Colony of New Zealand ?—lt would enable the producer to obtain the exact value of his gold in accordance with quality and as fixed by law, viz. £3 17s. 9d. per ounce for bullion standard quality, and £3 17s. 10^d. for coined gold of standard quality, viz. 22 carats fine. These prices would be subject to the following deductions :— Duty, which could (if coined) be deducted in the Mint, coinage, loss in melting, freight, and insurance, &c. The following are examples : Assuming the quality to be 23 carats 2 grains fine, and the loss in melting 2 per cent. Coined Gold in Sovereign for Currency. 22 carats ... ... ... ... ... ... £3 17 10| 1 carat ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 3 6 2 grains ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 18 ■ —— £4 3 0\ Less charges—Duty... ... ... ... ... £0 2 6 Loss on melting ... ... ... ... ... 0 16 Coinage ... ... ... ... ... 0 0 6 0 4 6 £3 18 6*

Mr. Bradshaw.

18th Sept., 1872.