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the
and taking advantage of the permission which has been given me to retire from the service, I wish to draw attention to the strong opposition that the Opium Bill (Appendix D to Mr. Russell's report) has encountered both from Unofficial Members of Council and from the Chamber of Commerce, who have been almost unanimous in asking for an adjournment of the second reading of the Bill.
The reason alleged is that the sale of Opium in quantities less than one chest, prohibited by Clauses 3 and 4 of the Bill, could not be permitted without prejudice either to the Chinese Customs or to the Government of this Colony.
An outline of such a scheme was submitted to Mr. Russell last week by one of the principal opponents of the Bill.