Gaol. Nor is there on record in the Gaol any case of a
Chinese Opium smoker being incapacitated by the sudden
252
deprivation of the Opium pipe.
4.
On the other hand it was not in
my experience unusual to see European prisoners addicted
to drink who had on admission to the Gaol to undergo
treatment in Hospital before they could be passed for
labour and I have during my residence in this Colony
followed to the grave several Europeans in good positions
in the Colony who have died of drink, and have seen the
dismissal from the Service and absolute ruin of scores of
men in subordinate positions in the Government Service.
5.
As I explained to some of Sir
Matthew Nathan's correspondents who interviewed me in
January on the subject of their letter of July last, if a
fresh field is desired for philanthropic endeavour in this
Colony, the eradication of the habit of over-indulgence
in intoxicating liquors among the European population
including the Army and the Navy, is far more deserving of
attention than the prevention of Opium smoking by Chinese,
a practice which unbiassed observers must, as far as this
Colony