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as a lenderer for the monopoly from the Government and a show of competition was always made, but in reality they had it all their own way for a time until after 1862 when the Wo Hang Hong stepped in and the you too rebred to Macao for one year.
It was generally known that the opium farmers were making large profits but it was difficult to get figures on which the Government could rely.
It was known that charges were levied on the boiling of opium for local consumption and on that for export. For example $3.75 per ball was charged for being allowed to boil and $2 a ball was charged for being allowed to export but what the quantities exported here, or consumed locally were merely guessed at – the farmers keeping their own secret.
Before passing further it may be well to give a few details of strengths and quantities to render what follows intelligible.
Most of the Opium brought to Hongkong is Indian called Bengal and Malwa – Bengal is of two kinds Patna and Benares – Patna opium is the kind which
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