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18.
19:
forfeiture whatever on the steamer or vessel.
That it is only when opium raw or prepaid is found concealed on board the ship or steamer in places or under circumstances that point to its concealment by or with the knowledge connivance of some person or persons belonging to the Steamer, or to carelessness or negligence on the part of the officers of that steamer and where there is no owner to claim, any question can or does arise of any penalty on the steamer or any interference with her traffic.
Your Memorialists further point out that the Steam Boat owners concerned have a perfect remedy in their own hands for the evil of which they complain, viz., if opium is found on board before they leave Hong Kong by their officers or searchers, it can be put on shore and not carried, or the owner be compelled to put it on the ship's manifest and pay freight. If it is discovered after leaving Hong Kong, they have only to deliver it up to the Chinese Customs Officers and they will not only incur no penalties but be rewarded.
Your Memorialists beg lastly to point out that although the ordinance includes ships bound for Macao as well as Canton, that the complaint of the Steamboat owners refers solely to Canton, and that at Macao there are two customs regulations which involve