15 November 1872

The Govt. have recently erected a Mint for Coinage, which is beautifully perfect and has saved some £60,000 per annum to the Colony. Mr P.J.Comber kindly shewed us the whole process, - but as this is well known, I need not describe it. The process by which the silver is extracted is known as the chlorine process and is exceedingly simple and efficacious. There is also a large Museum, which is not yet arranged. The collection is valuable and includes rich specimens of Copper and Iron obtained in the Country; gold specimens which are very good; also a collection of native birds, snakes, kangaroo &c. &c., but I observed that they had no collection of New Zealand birds, Mr. O’Grady, M.H.R., introduced me to Mr Gillies, the page 107 Commissioner of Railways, who gave us free Railway passes during our stay.