Proposes two Mint officers: Mr. Watt to be sent to Birmingham to take charge of copper coinage, and Mr. Julyan to be trained in Mint operations for future assignment either as comptroller of Mint or second-in-command to E. W. Ward at Sydney mint.

E. W. Ward has called for bids on machinery for Sydney mint but requests written authorization before proceeding with contracts.

Retirement of H. D. Harness. Recommends W. H. Barton, comptroller since 1830, to become either new deputy-master or combination of comptroller and deputy-master. Repeats request to hire special clerk to assist Master. [JH annotation: No reply from Treasury.]

Encloses draft of [JH's 1853-8] to commissioners of Treasury. Asks CT's permission to inform W. H. Barton of plan to merge offices of comptroller and deputy-master. Emphasizes need for special clerk to assist Master. New policy for signing Mint checks.

R. L. Sheil led W. H. Barton to expect promotion to deputy-master, and Barton is not yet aware of Treasury plan to combine this office with duties of comptroller. Proposes giving Barton both salaries for performing both duties. Salaries for junior clerks.

[Marked 'Confidential.'] Considering heavy workload from Jan. 1852 to June 1853, JH suggests bonuses for junior clerks and Mint officers. Surprised to learn that Charles Elouis felt passed over for deputy-master position at Sydney branch mint.

Error in CT's letter to Chancellor of Exchequer concerning record keeping in Mint. Repeats request to hire special clerk to assist Master.

Submits E. W. Ward's report on feasibility of establishing branch mint in Sydney. Encourages Treasury to proceed with Ward's plan.

Recommends Mr. Aberdein as clerk and private secretary to Master of Mint. Suggests that Mr. Hill be promoted from temporary clerk to replace Aberdein in melting house.

[John] Goldsmith, temporarily assigned from Board of Works in Ireland to bookkeeper in coining department, is working out very well. Suggests offering Goldsmith permanent position and using him to train other accountants.

Responds to CT's request for opinions on establishing astronomical and meteorological observatory at Nottingham. Distinguishes roles of royal, public, and private observatories for astronomy, and how these differ from meteorological observatories.

Forwards letter from E. W. Ward to commissioners of Treasury, proposing that J. Triskett and ten royal engineers accompany Ward to Australia to supervise construction of branch mint in Sydney.

Requests increase of wages for Mint employees, in preparation for resuming gold coinage on extensive scale.

Recommends increasing salaries of Mint officers assigned to Sydney, to match salary increases announced by governor of New South Wales.

Forwards request for review of Charles Elouis's right to superannuation pay. Repeats JH's earlier request (18 Mar. 1852) that Master of Mint be officially named among government officers listed in Superannuation Act.

Has not yet shown to H. D. Harness the paper referred to in JH's note to CT yesterday.

It is against Mint policy for JH to recommend any employee to act privately, as in EW's request for someone to inspect minting machinery.

Reports average output of gold coinage up to 'these changes in the production of Gold.' Demand is now increasing.

Reports quantities of gold and silver issued by Mint in recent months.

Refers to [James] Wilson's letter of 18 Nov. Queen must proclaim certain coins to be legal tender in colonies before Mint may issue them.