in
a
favour of farming Gambling Monopoly, and that that
resolution
Was
discussed in
the public papers at the time.
Lord Farmanon or the Duke of Northumberland stopped short of that suggestion however and allowed the Governor
as an experiment, & if it wore.
to deal effectually, it seemed impossible with illicit Gambling, to license gaming houses & to place
Police Surveillance
them under Regulations.
The fees derived therefrom £1200.
to be limited to such
amount as
Enough
would be fully £76
to cover
all Expenses
of granting Licences, of Supervision of all Police arrangements in Connexion with the Licensed House,
I have seen it stated that in Hong Kong
has accepted $250,000 or $300,000
from 15 Gambling Houses,
Let us say £60 × £60,000
a sum
Equal to nearly one half of
the present
Annual Revenue
as
and
much as is derived
four times as from the Opium Monopoly.
The amount (if correctly stated) seems very large but doubly The Governor finds that by fixing high figure
he
ensures a
Complete Cooperation on the part of those licensed.
however
It remains to be seen
whether
if so, how he has
exceeded the intentions of the Home
Government & the instructions he
has received.
The best course