Date: 1883
No: 207
28 May
Previous Paper: 902, 15211, 72515
2 3 5 4 3 4
Further papers: 2217, 17206
(Subject.)
The Opium Question
Requests full instructions
DESPATCH.
C.O. 172001
RECD 8 OCT 83
A circular has been issued inviting tenders from the Wa Hop company for the line erected between Hurston (or Haston) Fanton and Kowloon.
by the Chinese Telegraph Administration to purchase
J.B.
(Minutes.)
Mr. Meade
PRINTE EASTERN No. 63
COLONIAL
369
I did not notice that a tender was asked for or has been sent until now. See also 17207.
The system of licenses continues to work well, having produced $160,000 in six months against $210,000 in twelve months from the last Farmer. While it continues to work well, I see no reason for returning to the Farming system (as I have said at length on 6921).
There has not been time yet - less than one year - fairly to judge the new system; and I would propose to inform Governor Hennessy that it might be well to continue it at any rate for another year, by which time it will have had a more complete trial, but that tenders should again be called for.