150
On the 31st December, 1893, there remained as under :-
No. of Cases, &c.
Approximate Weight.
ibs.
Gunpowder, privately owned,
Do., Government owned,
3,377
69,777
Cartridges, privately owned,..
163
32,560
Do., Government owned,............
72
5,958
Explosive Compounds, privately owned.......
185
10,816
Do.,
Government owned,
28
1,759
Total,........
3,825
120,870
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS (OPIUM) OFFICE:
33. The Return shows that during the year the amount of Opium reported was as follows:-
Imported,
Exported,
1892.
1898.
.56,864
39,098
..52,625
43,549
Decrease. 17,766 chests.
9,0761
16,608 4,536
""
Through cargo reported } 21,144
but not landed,
The general decrease is, I am informed, greatly owing to short crops both in the Bengal and Persian Opium; with regard to Malwa the adverse exchange between India and China, caused by the closing of the Indian Mints, has affected it considerably, the enhanced price rendering it now less able to compete with the native drug in the North.
21,738 permits were issued from this Office, being a decrease of 1,025 as compared with 1892. A daily Memo. of Exports to Chinese Ports was during the year supplied to the Commissioner of Imperial Maritime Customs at Kowloon.
Surprise visits were paid to 97 Godowns during the year.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable G. T. M. OBRIEN, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Retd. Comd., R.N., Harbour Master, &c.