It as has been done on former occasion, they would start relieved from the great losses and difficulties which are generally met with, your Petitioner having already borne those losses and surmounted the difficulties of transfer from one Farmer to another.
And they would, while having the farm in their hands for the rest 18 months, have an opportunity of putting an end to the complaints that have been made as to smuggling from smuggling into China, while at the same time they could efficiently provide, with the co-operation of the Chinese Maritime Customs, against the smuggling of prepared opium into Hong Kong, and thus raise the value of the farm when next put up to public competition.
9. Should Your Excellency not be able to release Your Petitioner from his engagements as above mentioned, or to modify the contract between him and the Hong Kong Government in one of the ways above suggested, most disastrous consequences must result, primarily of course to Your Petitioner, but secondarily to the finances of the Colony.
10. If no modification of the existing condition can be effected, and if the losses at present being incurred continue, much ...
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