11
merchants,
"Petitioners consider that the
ces are a
"sea and river defences
" matter of
the
greatest importance
"and that a thorough
ManW
" for the collection of funds for " that purpose should be devised.
a tax on prepared opium was collected, and this " 100 for several
"Formerly
years,
but
without success. Then trong
"Isun-ün and other merchants "proposed certain regulations " and applied for the monopoly " of collecting
this tax. Their
application was forwarded
" to the Viceroy
and Governor,
"by the Provincial Treasurer
"and
" and an answer was received
"ordering
the matter to be-
" considered with a view 10
" completely changing the former "regulations. The perspicacity
" and discernment, which this " manifested on the part of
"Your Excellencies, struck your
Petitioners with admiration.
"On
enquiry they find that "the want of success atter
attending
was
due to
"the collection of the tax on 'prepared opium the rise of a variety of abuses - the number of shops selling prepared opium- " throughout the various parts "of Awong-tung being too great,
the