REPORT OE THE ROYAL MINT COMMITTEE.

H.—No. 6

6

How much gold should be produced to make a Mint self-supporting ? —The quantity of gold required to make the Mint self-supporting would depend upon the rates of charge. At the rates charged at the Sydney Mint on gold produced in New South Wales, about 400,000 oz. would be required. In reference to the wording of the question, it is perhaps unnecessary to remark that the point is not the quantity of gold produced in the Colony, but the quantity of that produce which the Mint would be likely to attract. The following documents are enclosed with the hope that they may afford the Committee some information: — 1. Order in Council of 19th August, 1853, constituting the Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint. The principal establishment authorized by this Order in Council has been considerably modified in regard both to simplicity and economy. 2. Colonial Act, 28 Vict., No. 3, making permanent provision for the Sydney Mint. 3. Proclamation by Her Majesty on the issue of which the foregoing Act was dependent. 4. Regulations for the receipt of Gold for Coinage at the Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint.

Sub-Enclosure 1 in Enclosure No. 1. Order in Council of 19th August, 1853, constituting the Sydney Branch of the Eoyal Mint. Whereas there was this day read at the Board a representation from the Commissioners for executing the office of our Lord High Treasurer, in the words following, that is to say : — " The Commissioners of your Majesty's Treasury beg leave to represent to your Majesty, that it appears to your Majesty's said Commissioners to be expedient — " That a branch of the Eoyal Mint be established at or near Sydney, in New South Wales, on such site as the Governor or Officer Administering the Government of the Colony for the time being may approve; that the chief officer thereof, who shall be considered as a Deputy Master of the Eoyal Mint on'being appointed by Her Majesty, be authorized and empowered to coin gold and other coin, in accordance with the standards of weight and fineness of the currency of this realm, and of such designs as may from time to time be approved by Her Majesty; and that the Master of the Eoyal Mint be authorized to prepare and transmit dies for such coins, so long as the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury may think necessary, and subject to such regulations as they may prescribe. " That it may be lawful for the Governor, or Officer Administering the Government of the Colony for the time being, with the advice of his Executive Council, to frame regulations under which the Mint shall receive gold bullion, and coin the same; and unless other provision shall be made for the expenses of the Mint, to authorize the retention (without reference to any charge which may be imposed for the expense of refining such bullion) of such a proportion thereof, or of the coin struck therefrom by way of a mint-charge or seignorage, as shall be sufficient to raise a fund for defraying the expenses attending the coinage, and to apply the same to such purpose. " That the Deputy Master be empowered, subject to the approval of the Governor or Officer Administering the Government of the Colony for the time being, to enter into such contracts, and to establish such regulations for the orderly and convenient performance of the duties of the Mint, as may be found necessary ; and that he do hold his office during Her Majesty's pleasure : the Governor, or Officer Administering the Government of the Colony, being empowered to appoint a person to perform his duties in the case of his death, or incapacity from any other cause, until the pleasure of Her Majesty is made known. " That four other principal officers of the Mint be appointed from time to time, by the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury; and that the Governor or Officer Administering the Government of the Colony be empowered, on the application of the Deputy Master, to suspend either of them in case of misconduct, and on the recommendation of the Deputy Master, to appoint a person to perform the duties of either of them, in case of death, sickness, infirmity, resignation, or suspension, subject to the orders of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury. " And that the four officers so to be appointed shall be — " Ist. The Superintendent of the Bullion Office, who shall be responsible to the Deputy Master for the receipt of bullion and the delivery of coin by the Mint; the safe custody of the same while in charge of his department; the faithful conduct and accurate record of all transactions with the public, and the Coining Department of the Mint; the general precision of the arrangements and integrity of the operations of the refinery and melting-house; and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Deputy Master may direct him to perform. " 2nd. The Superintendent of the Coining Department, who will be responsible to the Deputy Master for the bullion delivered into his charge by the Superintendent of the Bullion Office ; for its conversion into coin of the legal weight, properly stamped with the authorized dies; for the safe custody and legitimate use of the dies ; for the operations of his department being properly and economically conducted ; for the records thereof being kept with care and precision, and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Deputy Master or his representative may direct him to perform. " 3rd. The First Clerk of the Bullion Office, who, under the immediate supervision of the Superintendent of the Bullion Office, will be responsible to the Deputy Master for the skilful and economical direction of the operations of melting and refining ; for the records thereof being kept with care and precision ; and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Deputy Master or his representative may direct him to perform. " 4th. The Eegistrar and Accountant, who will be responsible to the Deputy Master for the proper registering and safe custody of the documents delivered to his charge ; for the store, cash, bullion, and other accounts of the Mint being kept with care and precision, in such form as may from time to time be directed ; and for the faithful and zealous discharge of any other duties which the Deputy Master or his representative may direct him to perform.