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Q. -What kind of junks were they that engaged with the P'ing-chau-hoi?
A.-They were the largest size of salt smuggling junks.
Q.-Is not salt largely used for curing fish?
A.--Yes, a great quantity is used.
Q.-Does not the Chinese Salt Gabelle exercise a jealous vigilance over junks?
A.-They do. I have known cases where fishing junks have been interfered with by the Chinese Customs for having salt in excess of the quantity allowed by the Chinese regulations.
Q. Do you know anything of naval fights in the waters of the Colony?
A.-I know nothing of such fights. I have been in the Police Force 11 years last February. I have had seven or eight years experience of outstations. During that time the only cases of fights I have known are: 1st that of the P'ingchauhoi referred to above, which I only knew by hearsay; 2nd, the case at Tokwawán, also referred to above; and 3rd, the case where the junk took refuge on Stone Cutters' Island.
WILLIAM MCCLELLAN, Inspector of Junks, states:-I have been Inspector of Junks for 14 years. I don't suppose there is a junk that leaves the harbour without smuggling. Smuggling is carried on in particular to Macao. The junks that carry the opium are large and small. The large ones vary from 1,800 piculs to 3,000 piculs. Their armament consists of 8 guns, 15 muskets, 10 spears, and 1 piculs of powder. The crew numbers about twenty-two men. The small junks, which carry on more smuggling than the large ones, are about 300 piculs. I have often chased them as far as the Kapshuimún to see if they had prepared opium on board. I never found any of them with prepared opium, but have always found raw opium on board. These small junks
go
chiefly to Tungkún. The large junks are not fitted out specially for smuggling, but the small ones are. I can tell them as soon as I see them. They are a long snake boat armed with 18 muskets, 10 spears, 15 pistols, no cannon. 10 to 18. The men are generally heavy built men. They make one run a week, and
carry
from 10 to 20 packages, each package containing about ten balls. As to salt smuggling, all the junks start from Yaumáti, so far as I am aware.
The crew varies from
A great quantity of muskets is shipped in junks daily for Canton, Tungkún, Whampoa, &c.
TO THE COMMISSION.
Q.-Is there a special class of junk fitted out for the purpose of smuggling?
A.-There is not a special class.
Q.-Have you ever had occasion to report the unusual armament of any junk? A.-I have never had occasion to do so.
Q. -Have you ever heard of engagements in the waters of the Colony between junks and Revenue Cruisers?
A.-Never. I have heard of fights outside the waters.