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might probably advise you as to the best mode of carrying out the undertaking ; and he might also instruct His Excellency the Governor as to giving assent to any Bill, with that object, which might be passed by the Colonial Legislature. 3. Information as to the alloys to be used, and the denomination of coins that might be produced. My own impression is, that it would be desirable the Colony should be empowered to issue coins of the existing denominations, from one penny to five shillings inclusive. I have to request that you will send to me a reply to this letter with tho least delay possible, in order that the information you furnish may be laid before Parliament. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 2. Dr. Featherston to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. (No. 304.) Sir,— London, 16th May, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a letter, dated 19th March, which I presume, though not signed, is addressed to me by the Hon. Mr. Vogel, relative to silver and copper coinage. As the San Francisco Mail, which brought me this letter, only arrived on Tuesday, the 13th instant, and the mail by Brindisi goes out to-day, it will be evident that there has been no time to take any action in the matter. But I so fully recognize the importance of the subject, that I shall immediately after the despatch of the present mail take steps to obtain the required information. I believe that from nobody will I be able to obtain so readily and such complete information on the subject as from many of the gentlemen who hold seats on the Board of the National Bank of New Zealand. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, New Zealand. I. E. Featherston.

No. 3. Dr. Featherston to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. 7, Westminster Chambers. Victoria Street, London, Sir,— 12th June, 1873. Eeferring to my letter of the 16th May, 1873 (No. 304), I have the honor to furnish herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of the correspondence between myself and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the question of the Colony being permitted to undertake the coinage of silver and copper money. From this correspondence it will be seen that the question is one, not for the Colonial Office, but for the Lords of the Treasury, to whom Lord Kimbcrley has submitted my application. It will be observed that the Colony of Victoria is making a similar application, and therefore I am not without hopes that the concession demanded by the two Colonies will be granted. Immediately on the receipt of the decision of the Lords of the Treasury, I shall, in case it is adverse, explain to Lord Kimberley at length the views of the New Zealand Government, and request him to state fully the nature of the objections. Since the question has been raised, you will have received Lord Kimberley's Despatch to the Governor on the subject of the establishment of a Mint in New Zealand. I have, Ac, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 3. Dr. Featherston to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sib,— 4th June, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that by the last mail I received a letter from the Government of New Zealand relative to copper and silver coinage, and requesting mo to bring the following facts under Lord Kimberley's notice : — 1. No silver coinage is used in any of the Australasian Colonies except that of Great Britain, whilst, as regards copper coinage, a large proportion of that which is used in most of the Colonies is made up of " tokens " issued by various trading firms. It is doubtful whether in any case those " tokens " are worth nearly the amounts which they are accepted as representing; and though there is no power to secure that they shall be redeemed, yet, so urgent is the need of a copper coinage, they are more or less readily accepted as legal money. 2. The silver currency in New Zealand has become to a considerable extent defaced. On this fact being represented to the Lords cf the Treasury, their Lordships proposed very liberal terms for the supply of new coinage—the defaced coin now in the Colony being accepted in exchange, but the Colony paying all expenses incident to the exchange. Those expenses would be considerable—freight, insurance, &c, both ways, would amount to nearly 5 per cent, on the value exchanged. If only a small amount of coin were required, it might be desirable for the Colony to take advantage of the offer of the Lords of the Treasury. But there is a constantly increasing demand for silver coin, not alone

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