C
318
permitted anyone to taxe away any portion of the coal except under such delivery order.
4 Un or about the 7th. of October last the watchman
the said Sz A Chin came over to our Canton office and informed me through our Canton Compradore that the coal had been seized by the order of the Chinese Government. I went over myself and saw the Chinese Guard Boat in charge of the coal and also placards placed on the matsheds over the coal which placards were translat- -ed to me and they stated that the coal bal been confiscated by the Chinese Government. I acquainted my Hongkong office with the facts. 1 also informed the British Consul-General. Subsequently
the Chinese Government offered the coal for sale.
And I make this solemn Declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of
the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835.
Declared at Victoria in hongkong
this 23rd. day of February, 1906.
Before me,
(Sa.) J. W. Lee-Jones,
(Sd.) Leofric hale Gilman.
J.P.
Victoria.