drug to the Opium Farmer,
I and Venclove a copy of your letter of 17th idem you intimate that the Governor is not prepared to attempt amendment, in the sense desired, of the law which has been settled after much consideration.
Opium smuggling on the River Steamers to Canton has formed the subject of frequent correspondence between the Government and the two Steamers Companies. In 1887 a copy of this correspondence was sent to the Colonial Secretary in the joint Companies' letter of 21st March 1892, and I have now the honour to transmit another printed copy of the further correspondence which has since been exchanged.
Why there is strong objection taken to the return of confiscated drug to the Opium Farmer is to be inferred from the following extracts from the printed correspondence. Addressing the Colonial Secretary on 22nd September 1888 the representatives of the joint companies state :- "This prepared opium, we have not the slightest hesitation in stating, is the property of the Opium Farmer, and that he suborns our native employees on the vessels to assist him in running the drug into China without payment of duty."
On the 25th October following Messrs Butterfield and Swire wrote to the Colonial Secretary. "The connivance, if not the actual implication of the Opium Farmer is plainly indicated in this case and we will be glad if the Government will direct