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114.-Can you state how they fix up the opium in case they are overhauled by the Customs Cruisers ?
A.—I have seen cases where the opium was made up as bags of netting. The opium was rolled up in oiled paper and put
in this netting--and a stone was attached to it with a rope. Being questioned as to why they had it in that form they said that if they were overhauled they threw it overboard and marked the place, and afterwards dredged for it.
115.-Do these cattle dealers take the opium for themselves or do they carry it for
others?
A.—It is their own property. The cattle dealers say they want to turn their money over twice. They bring their cattle here and sell them and take the opium back and sell it.
116. 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 7 or 8 years' experience of out-stations. During that time the only cases of fights I have known are: (1) that of the Pingchauhoi, which I only know by hearsay; (2) the case at T'òkwawán; and (3) the case where the junk took refuge on Stone Cutters' Island.
117.-What was that case at Stone Cutters' Island?
A.—It was a case of a small sampan. A number of men employed a sampan to take their opium and land it at Ts'inwán, and while they were crossing between the north-end of Stone Cutters' and the mainland, the Chinese Cruisers came out from Shamshuipò and pursued them. The smugglers ordered the sampan to turn back, and she did so and beached on Stone Cutters' Island. The Corporal in charge of the guard there went down to see what was the matter, and the Cruiser turned back. He took the boat and the men to Yaumáti. On the men being questioned with reference to their opium, they produced their bills and then I allowed them to go. I did not detain them or their opium.
118.-There was no fight?
A.-No; no fight, only that the boat was chased by the Cruiser on to the Island.
119.-Are there any Revenue Launches or Sailing Cruisers anchored at Yaumáti Harbour or within your jurisdiction?
A.-No; they are not allowed to anchor there. They all anchor at Shamshuipò, in their own territory, about 800 yards beyond the back gates of the Dock.
120.-How many are there?
A.-Sometimes three, sometimes only one-a launch as a rule and two sailing crafts. They are always there on the watch. They very often get repaired at a sort of slip at a village called Mongkoktsúi, where there is a carpenter who as a rule repairs all their boats, but when they come there the Captain comes and reports his arrival, his name, and the name of his vessel and the port from which he came, and states that his reason for coming there is to undergo repair. Under these circumstances they are not objected to, but in no other case are they allowed to anchor on the Kaulung side.