entrusted to two persons Mr named 趙 Oper. Chin and Tira, the former had been a Private Secretary to the late Hoo-Kwun (Hoppe). These people with a Clerk named Netig made the seizures that have been complained of. They paid $400 (? per Month) for the privilege of assisting the Customs. The profits of their seizures, the cases where Cargo was sold, which was only where the "Squeeze" was not submitted to, were divided into three portions, for the Hoo-Kwun, themselves and for their Precos.
(d). It is reported that Lees and King have been dismissed, but as soon as the affair has blown over they will be re-employed elsewhere; this is the more probable, as a previous case of the same sort came before the Cantonese Government about three years ago, and the Viceroy (Tseh-Kwang) expressed his great displeasure, and put a stop to it. It has, however, evidently recommenced. It is stated also that a Proclamation is issued forbidding the exportation of Rice. Two junks which were hung up at Whampoa were seized. This matter, I have probably, to report further on. I would point out, however, that a double blow is aimed at Hongkong, both raising the price of provisions and stopping the transit trade in rice to California and elsewhere...