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394.--To any extent?
A.--To a great extent. I arrested a man about a month ago on the Canton steamer Wharf. He had four balls on his person. I took him up, and he was ultimately discharged, because he told me where he bought the opium. The balls were cut up in halves and tied round his body and arms.
395.—We heard of that from Sergeant BUTLIN.
A. Yes; he was with me at the time. These cases are of frequent occurrence.
WONG AYAU states:-
396.—Are you Sergeant Interpreter or Detective Police Sergeant?
A.-Before I was Sergeant Detective; now I am Sergeant Interpreter.
397.--You have been in the Force 15 years, I think?
A.--Yes.
398,--Do you know anything about opium smuggling into China from Hongkong?
A. Yes.
399.-What do you know?
A. I know some take it over to Kaulung and take it to Nimching.
400.--Do you know anything about any houses in Hongkong that make contracts
for smuggling either opium or salt with these blockade runners?
A.-There was a salt shop at Yaumáti before and they smuggled the salt.
401.-Are there any now, over at Yaumáti or in Victoria?
A.-None at present in either place I think. I am not quite certain about it, because
I have not made inquiries about the matter.
402. Why do you say so then?
A.-I went over to Yaumáti the other day to make inquiry, but I have made no inquiry in Hongkong.
403.-Mr. CREAGH writes just before he left. "I asked Sergeant WONG AYAU about this," that is, about the houses in Victoria in which contracts to smuggle salt are regularly made between owners of cargo and "blockade runners," "and he assured me it was the case, and that many of the latter class are known to be pirates.' Do remember telling Mr. CREAGH that?
A. Yes, I said so to Mr. CREAGH.
404.-Then how do you explain that with your present statement?
you
A.-I have not said anything about opium yet, but I will tell you about it.
405.—And that there are many of the latter class known to be pirates, that is, the blockade runners?
A.-It is in this way.
These salt smugglers are chiefly pirates. Some of them are pirates and some are not. They don't commit the acts of pirates when they are taking goods up, but on their return voyage they do so.