408
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 14TH MAY, 1892.
30. Higher pay on an incremental system is gradually producing a better class of Chinese assist- ant light-keepers. I would be glad to see Police Pensioners come forward as applicants for the posts shortly to be filled amongst the assistants at the Gap Rock.
BOKHARA Rock.
31. The buoy marking this rock broke adrift once, but was speedily replaced with the assistance of a diver from H. M. S. Victor Emanuel.
GOVERNMENT Gunpowder DEPÔT.
32. During the year 1891, there has been stored in the Government Magazine, Stone Cutters' Island.
No. of Cases, &c.
Approximate Weight.
lbs.
Gunpowder, privately owned,
Do., Government owned,
Cartridges, privately owned,
Do., Government owned,
Explosive Compounds, privately owned,..
17,067
342,680
632
63,200
411
68,560
228
23,996
1,406
80,716
Do.,
Government owned,.
12
585
Total,....
19,756
579,787
On the 31st December, 1891, there remained as under:-
No. of Cases, &c.
Approximate Weight.
Ibs.
Gunpowder, privately owned,
Do., Government owned,
3,560
72,340
Cartridges, privately owned,
Do., Government owned,
Do.,
316
52,713
173
19,613
Explosive Compounds, privately owned,..
480
31,945
Government owned,.
12
655
Total,.
4,541
177,266
Since the issue of the proclamation prohibiting the export of munitions of war to China very large quantities of gunpowder privately owned have been transferred to Macao.
33. The condition of the Magazine is good, a new roof having been put on during the year. The new wharf is completed. The subject of the exclusion of the public from the precincts of the Magazine is one which has been brought prominently forward for the last two years successively. At present, this is the only portion of Stone Cutters' Island where the public can land without special "Permit and when it is considered with what care such like premises are generally guarded, the omission in this case seems to call for speedy correction.
34. The Gunner resigned on the 15th September, and his successor on the 19th November, the post was filled on the 20th November last by an Officer on probation-since confirmed.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS (OPIUM) OFFICE.
35. The Return shows that during the year the amount of Opium reported as follows:-
Imported, Exported,
but not landed,
440
Through cargo reported Į 1890,
Decrease.
40
1890.
1891.
.62,4631 $5 .58,023 12
58,4193 4,043) 35 57,998
40
25 12
..16,004 chests
J 1891,
Increase,.........
..18,256 do.
2,252 chests
22,186 permits were issued from this office being an increase of 1,742 over 1890.
A daily Memo. of Export Permits was during the year sent to the Chinese Customs Office in Victoria.
36. Surprise visits were paid to 114 godowns. One case of deficiency (one chest) was detected, prosecuted and the owner fined $100, Sundry technical breaches of the Opium Ordinance were found.