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3. Merchandise sent to Macao for sale from the various ports in the Kwong Chad prefectures on which duty has been paid is to be allowed to pass after examination at the stations.
4. If merchandise, on which duty has been paid at various ports in Kwong Chat prefecture is to be re-exported to the lower prefectures, a Red Chop must be produced for examination at the Custom-house at this port. No alteration can be made in the number or quantity of the goods, and the name of the Junk in which the goods are sent must be reported at the Custom-house.
5. With regard to goods imported from Junk from Hongkong, if they are foreign, duty must be paid on them according to the new tariff, but, if native, according to the old tariff sanctioned by the Board. If they are re-exported to the lower prefectures, a certificate is to be issued to them so that duty may be paid on them on arrival, in accordance with the tariff which is now observed in the various ports.
6. For goods exported from Macao to the lower prefectures, where there is a Custom Station the "Tung tsai Tang" will issue a certificate, so that duty may be paid at the port of destination, but if there be no Customs Station, then the duty must be paid at the Custom-house at this port.
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port into Macao. As there are no silk piece goods, fine chinaware, tea, or lead produced in the lower prefectures, but only sugar, which is imported into Macao from the lower prefectures, your petitioners suggest that a uniform duty of three candareens be levied on it.
9. Junks carrying goods between this port and the lower prefectures are to pay a fee (tonnage due) according to the scale paid by those trading between ports in the Kwong Chat prefecture.
10. The above regulations, which your petitioners have suggested, contain only the main points of the matter, whenever they find them incomplete, your petitioners will suggest new ones for consideration, and, if approved, for the observance of the people. Ko Chat, Lü Chast, Lun Chat, and King Chat are the four lower prefectures.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
HONGKONG, March, 1876.
SIR-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.168 of the 28th February ultimo, enclosing, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, a letter from the Acting Registrar General covering copy of a petition purporting to have been presented by the merchants at Macao to the Governor of that settlement.
7. For goods imported into Macao for sale, on which duty has been paid at the lower prefectures, a duty must be paid here according to the old tariff on production of the Red Chop. If after payment of the duty here, they are to be re-exported to ports in the Kwong Chat prefecture they are to be reported at the port of destination for cancellation. If no duty has been paid on them at this port, should they be re-exported to ports in the Kwong Chat prefecture, the duty customary at the port to which they are exported must be paid at that port. If they are sent to Canton, duty must be paid according to the Canton Custom's tariff.
8. According to the old regulation, five candareens were paid for each picul of silk piece goods, fine chinaware, tea, sugar and lead, which were imported from Canton. Now duty has been paid at the Central Custom-house at Canton on all the goods imported from that port into Macao.
2. The despatch has been duly submitted, with its enclosures, to the consideration of the Committee of this Chamber, and I am directed to convey to you their opinion that under present circumstances it would be very inadvisable for the Government of this Colony to take any steps in the matter referred to.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
To the Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
(Signed,) P. KYRIE,
Chairman.
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