Happy to hear that JH settled difficulties with [W. T.] Brande. Talents of W. H. Barton and Charles Elouis. Reward for R. F. Suft. Advises exchanging Mr. Cumberland for more useful clerk from some other public office.
Explains wages of Mint workers doing piece work. Discourages plan to pay equal wages in all departments. Policy for promotions. Problem of gold ingots of non-standard weight and alloy being imported by Bank of England.
JH must deal with difficulty concerning Mr. Forbes, who will be foolish not to retire instead of letting case go to the Treasury. Work of current month is excellent.
Dispute over seniority between R. F. Suft and Mr. Cumberland. Neither of these junior clerks qualifies for vacancy of senior clerk, who should be competent to stand in during comptroller's absence. Ask W. H. Barton for recommendations.
Grateful for HH's advice on dealing with Mr. Cumberland. JH spoke to [W. H. Barton] about Cumberland's claim to seniority over R. F. Suft. Encloses letter from Bank of England that indicates extraordinary work for Mint in near future. Recent production of coins. Suggests stronger series of checks on piecework of all men and officers at Mint.
Housing accommodations for Mint officers.
Considers Thomson Hankey's note ridiculous; pressure by Bank of England for more silver coinage is unnecessary. Reassignment of Mint residences to Mint officers. Discourages plan to extend piece work wages to include Mint officers.
Transfer of refinery from Mint to Anthony de Rothschild is delayed by failure to determine value of platinum vessels. Bank of England's demand for silver coins and half sovereigns is becoming urgent. Questions organization of new Weighing room. Staff of Mint clerks must be increased during intense coining activity. Effectiveness of weighing machine.
Procedures for evaluating refinery leased to Anthony de Rothschild. Problem of accurately weighing small coins. Size of permanent staff in Mint office should be determined by ordinary work, not by times of pressure. Consider borrowing temporary clerks from other government offices. Returns draft of JH's letter to Rothschild.
Wages for a weighing room assistant. There is no extra copy of Coinage Act. Believes Treasury would approve of bonus for delivery of more silver or gold than planned.
Encloses pamphlets about [W. T.] Denison's experiments to determine accuracy of gold specimens by use of specific gravity. [JH annotation: Wrote to HH on 12 Oct. regarding Mr. Forbes and H. W. Field.]
Doubts [W. T.] Denison's claim that specific gravity is dependable for testing gold coins. Recommends dismissing Mr. Forbes at once. H. W. Field cannot be selective about assays but must perform these whenever JH requires.
Pressure for coining gold, silver, and copper is becoming urgent. Complaints by Bank of England are reflecting badly on new system at Mint. Received two officers from Commissariat department to assist during crisis. Hopes HH will return soon.
Arranges to meet JH at a place other than the Mint.
In response to Treasury's declaration of 'emergency' condition, HH promises to assist in any way JH needs.
Real emergency is occurring. Assured C. E. Trevelyan that Mint would increase its efforts. Will see Mr. Mocatta on Monday. Hopes silver becomes available soon.
Directs HH to return to Mint immediately.
Call on JH as soon as possible.
Will not come to the Mint tomorrow.
JH's description yesterday of events at Mint led HH to stay away. Surprised that JH wishes to see HH. No one should interfere between W. T. Brande and William Buckle.