46*
from enstarting in business, and large quantities of opium have been withdrawn during the past month and sent to Canton. This drain of opium seems not to show signs of decreasing.
Business is still in the same unsatisfactory condition, and there is no prospect of improvement unless the Government of France should, when the Chambers meet at the end of the month, decide upon abating some of their pretensions with regard to Annam and Tongking.
2.
The safety of the deposits of Government moneys in the Banks in the south has, under the circumstances, occupied the serious attention of the Government for some time. These deposits were on the 1st January 1881: $120,000 in the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank, $210,000 in the Chartered Bank, Total $330,000 on the 8th May 1862.
It is stated that, in connection with the intention of Government to undertake large Public Works, such as the Water Works, and other projects which had been under consideration for some considerable time, it would not be desirable to make any further remittances to England for investment, as the surplus Revenue would...