This morning, at the Magistracy, before Captain Hastings, Fuk Ho, coolie, was charged by Mr J. H. Logan, preventive officer, Hongkong and Canton Steamboat Company, with having 650 taels of prepared opium in his possession unlawfully on board the river steamer Powan on the 5th inst. The accused was defended by Mr H. L. Dennys. Fung Shing, preventive officer, stated that at 7 p.m. on the 5th inst he was on board the Powan lying alongside the Wharf. He was going from the lower to the upper deck, when he met the defendant on the stair descending with a box on his shoulder. He followed defendant to one of the entry ports. He asked defendant what the box contained, and the defendant replied that he did not know and that he had no key.
Mr Logan was present; defendant then stated that the box contained opium dross. He produced a key; the box was opened, and was found to contain thirteen tins of prepared opium. Witness saw no certificate from the Opium Farm. He asked defendant if he had any papers, and the defendant replied that he had reported to the Opium Farm. In cross-examination by Mr Dennys, witness said he saw a document written in Chinese at the Central Police Station where it was shown to the Inspector on duty.
Mr Logan stated that the Powan had arrived at 3.45 p.m. on the 5th inst., and was to leave at 6 p.m. on the 6th inst. Witness asked the defendant in Chinese 'Have you the Company's paper or not?' Defendant replied 'No; no paper;' and stated that the opium came from Canton. Witness asked if it had been entered in the ship's manifest; defendant replied in the negative, and he was, thereupon, handed over to the police. Witness did not see the paper produced until the defendant was taken to the Police Station; and even if he had he would not have accepted it as a valid certificate from the Farm. He was aware that formerly prepared opium used to come over by the Company's boats from Macao for export to California.
The court interpreter stated that the document produced was a delivery order from the Hau Fuk Opium Farm for twenty tins of prepared opium. Defendant discharged.
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BEFORE COMMANDER W. C. H. HASTINGS.
Fuk Ha, a coolie, was charged by Mr. J. H. Logan, preventive officer, Hongkong Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, with having 650 taels of prepared opium in his possession on board the Powan on the 5th inst.
Mr. H. L. Dennys defended.
Fung Shing said that at 9 p.m. he was going from the lower to the upper deck on board the Powan when he met the defendant with a box on his shoulder. He accosted the defendant, who said that he did not know what the box contained.
Defendant produced a certificate from the Opium Farm and was discharged.
recent. He is given into custody.
Police Court is defended armer: Solicitor. A certificate from Opium Farm is produced, the croke is immediately discharged and the opium is returned to him. In my mind there is not the shadow of a doubt that this same was the property of the Opium Farm and that the coolie was simply employed to single it as the amendments directed.
a material state become operative, this Opium would be forfeited to the Crown and the owner would have suffered but, as it is, he is as good as told that he may smuggle it by another.
I again ask you State for the key.
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
on desirous it is that the amendments should come into force without farther delay?
Jumnaine, Dear Lin
I remain faithfully.
The mole Secretary's.
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