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Petition from Chán Tsoi-li and Keung Hing-li.
To the Honourable,
THE REGIStrar GeneRAL.
CHÁN TSOI-LI and KEUNG HING-LI respectively of fishing junks Nos.
and at Shau-ki Wan present a petition praying that an enquiry may be made into a case in which they have been robbed.
On the 15th of this moon about 3 P.M., (21st April, 1883), while Petitioners, who have for a long time been earning their livelihood by fishing, were sailing their junks on the waters of Kwo-chau, they encountered a Cruiser belonging to the Yanwot'ong Salt Farm, Hongkong. At the request of the nren on board this Cruiser, Petitioners produced their Salt certificates, but they said the certificates could not be passed, and forcibly robbed Petitioners of more than ten piculs of fish,* all the fish they had on
•board their junks. Petitioners dared not offer any resistance, and allowed them to take away the fish. Immediately afterwards, Petitioners returned to Hongkong, and went and asked the Yanwot'ong Salt Farm No. 167, Praya West, why their Salt certificates were not passed, and why the men on board the said Cruiser robbed them of their fish. The sellers of Salt certificates said that the Cruiser belonged to them, but they must find out what quantity of fish had been taken before they could settle the matter. They neither gave a definite answer nor undertook to recover the same for. Petitioners at once. Having bought Salt certificates with which they proceed to sea to catch fish, Petitioners consider that all cruisers belonging to the Salt Farm should allow them to pass after the certificates have been produced and examined. Why should the men on board the said Cruiser, in the present case, refuse to pass their certificates and rob them of their fish? Petitioners feel aggrieved at this, and therefore implore Your Honour to issue a warrant for the arrest of the Yanwot'ong, and recover the fish for them.
(Paper attached).
CHÁN TSOI-LI'S Salt certificates having been seized by Cruiser No. 1, it is necessary to wait till the return of the said Cruiser, (to the Colony) when the things (taken from him) will be returned.
Dated 16th day, 3rd moon, 9th year of Kwong Sü (22nd April, 1888).
* Nearly 12 cwt.
(Copy.) No. 30.
SIR,
Seal
of
Pün Kün San On
Salt Farm.
The Registrar General to Colonial Secretary.
REGISTRAR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 9th May, 1883.
Mr.
and
In continuation of my letter No. 22 of the 16th ultimo, (C.S.O. No. 1052). I have the honour to enclose statements made to me by. Mr.
Mr. Inspector CAMERON regarding the Branch Office of the Chinese Salt Farm in this Colony, that goes by the name of the Yanwot'ong, at No. 167, Praya West.
These statements, together with the Licence which was obtained by CHEUNG, clearly prove the existence of the establishment and the nature of its operations.
The information now obtained may be of use to the Commission on Smuggling.
The Honourable W. H. MARSH, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
FREDERICK STEWART,
Registrar General.