§ 8,000l. for extraordinary expenses for prosecutions relating to the Coinage, was then applied for by Mr. Spring Rice, when
Mr. Humeremarked, the expenses of this department had considerably increased since last year. He wished to inquire, if the prosecutions had been more numerous?
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, in reply, the prosecutions had increased in proportion to the vote. The Solicitor of the Mint was paid by salary. He could, therefore, have no interest in augmenting the prosecutions, The number of convictions in proportion to prosecutions were, out of 587 persons prosecuted, during the last two years, 531 were convicted. This was itself sufficient proof that no trivial or unnecessary prosecutions had been undertaken.
Mr. Humehad asked the question, because the expense had increased. In 1826, it was 6,000l.; in 1827, 5,000l.
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, the longer coin was in circulation, the easier it was to counter felt the impression. That was probably one reason for the increased number of crimes and of prosecutions.
Mr. Alderman Woodfound there was frequently an unwillingness to prosecute in cases of this description.
§ Vote agreed to.
§ Mr. Spring Ricestated, that the expenses of convicts at home, amounted, a short time ago, to 70,5542.; at present, it did not exceed 63,700l.—the expenses of convicts at Bermuda, 31,384l.; now it was 29,642l.—the total amount of the Vote had, therefore, been reduced 8,596l. for both services. A sum of 15,000l. was voted for Law charges; 108,165l. was voted to defray the expense of maintaining and employing Convicts, at home and at Bermuda, for the year 1831.