Page:The Economic Journal Volume 1.djvu/582

 560 THE ECONOMIC JOURNAL Mining Royalties. Report of the Royal Commission (C--6331). THIS is the second report of the Royal Commission appointed on August 19, 1889, to inquire into the subject of mining royalties, sub- mitting evidence which has been taken from proprietors of minerals and from working men engaged in mining industries in the United Kingdom. The Commissioners state that in the course of this inquiry they have received some evidence which they venture to submit is deserving of early attention with regard to the prejucial effect upon the development of the mineral resources of Ireland, which may follow the subdivision of mineral property in that country, under the laws which are now in force or are contemplated for promoting the purchase of land by the tenant farmers of Ireland. They add that they intencl taking further evidence from a few other witnesses, specially acquainted with mining at home, and in accordance with the terms of the Royal Warrant, they will proceed to examine into the terms and conditions under which mining enterprise is conducted in India, the colonies, and foreign countries. Mint. Report of the Deputy Master for 1890 (C--6361). THIS is the twenty-first annual report of the Deputy Master of the Mint. It shows that the value of the coinage in 1890 was as follows: Gold 7,680,156, silver 1,694,688, and bronze 90,285, making a total of 9,465,129. The average total value of the coinage for the ten years 1880-90 was 3,162,418. Of the gold total 1,121,600 was in half sovereigns, the coinage of which had been practically suspended since 1885. The five-pound and two-pound pieces issued in 1887 were sufficient to meet all general demands for these coins, and no application was received for them during the year under review. The total withdrawals of light gold consequent upon the Coinage Act of 1889 amount to 2,463,148, and the expenses of the operation to 51,299. Notwithstanding the abnormal amount of silver coin issued during the year 1889, the demand in 1890 was again very large. The issues of the two years taken together amount to no less than 3,873,576. Bronze money was in unusual demand. The amount issued was 90,285, of which 2,170 was in farthings, and 22,930 in halfpence. The total value of bronze coin exceeded the issue of 1889 by 23,000. Pauperism (E,gland and Wales). on January 1, 1891. 130 (B). Return (B). lauers relieved THIS periodical return prepared by the Local Government Board shows the state of pauperism in each of the 648 unions and parishes in England and Wales on January 1, 1891, and contains also summary tables for a series of years. The number of paupers relieved on the above date was 780,457, or 2'7 per cent. of the population of England