Seeing that by the decision of the Supreme Court of Hongkong as reported in the Daily Press of 9th August 1893, opium not on the Ship's manifest when accompanied by a certificate from the Opium Farmers cannot be seized under the existing Ordinance, it is seen desirable that the Ordinance should be altered so as to provide for the seizure and confiscation of all opium found on board vessels about to proceed to a Chinese port, and not entered in the Ship's manifest, whether such opium be covered by the Opium Farmers' permit or not, and that such confiscated opium, or the proceeds thereof, shall on no account be given up to the Opium Farmer.
Such an alteration in the Ordinance would in all probability afford that relief to the Steamboat Companies for which they ask so urgently, and which in the opinion of this Chamber ought to be afforded to them.
I have &c.
Signed; F: Henders, Secretary,
How: G. 2. M. O'Brien, Colonial Secretary.