OPIUM.
No. 23 of 1909.
1821
ing has been so stored, shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 500 dollars for every chest of opium which is found to have been so imported or to be so missing.
farmer.
*
21. If the opium farmer refuses or neglects, or without sufficient cause unreasonably delays, to do any of the acts or things hereinbefore provided and required to be done by him, he shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine for each such offence not exceeding 500 dollars.
fines to
+
22. The half of all fines inflicted by a Magistrate for any offence against this Ordinance in respect of raw opium or loose opium shall, when the arrest and conviction are due to action taken by the opium farmer or his excise officers, be paid to the opium farmer, and the raw opium or loose opium in respect of which such offence has been committed shall be forfeited by the Magistrate and may in his discretion be adjudged to the opium farmer.
PART II.
PREPARED OPIUM AND DROSS OPIUM.
Farms.
farm.
23.—(1) The Governor-in-Council may grant to any person, for such considerations, and on such conditions, and for such periods, and in such form as may be determined by the Governor-in-Council, the sole privilege of preparing opium and of selling prepared opium within the Colony and either inclusive or exclusive of the privileges mentioned in this Ordinance in relation to dross opium.
(2) Such privilege may be offered for sale either by sealed tender or at public auction, and the time for sending in such tenders or of holding such auction shall be previously notified in the Gazette, in English and Chinese, and by advertisement in one or more daily newspapers.
(3) The Governor-in-Council may also grant to any person the like privilege as aforesaid by private contract, if it appears desirable in the interests of the Colony to do so.
(4) The accepted bidder for or the grantee of such privilege, before he shall become entitled to the benefit thereof, shall give
* As amended by No. 30 of 1911 and No. 21 of 1912.
+ As amended by No. 21 of 1912.
§ As amended by No. 50 of 1911 and No. 13 of 1912.