L
accompany 1.
Extract from the "South China Morning Post" of
24th. September, 1910.
The Canton Opium Licence.
Another Intended Monopolist's Application refused.
(Morning Post
Correspondent.)
€76
}
Canton, September 22.
Merchants, Lam Chan Hing and others, a few
days ago, sent an application to the Chief Opium Prohibition Bureau for the grant to them of the prepared opium licence
monopoly under the conditions that are at present in vogue.
The bureau, however, refused their application with the follow-
-ing endorsement:-
9
Before the commencement of the licence tax-
-ation by the bureau, we made an inquiry into the opium business
at Canton, and found that the three firms, Ki On Tai, Kwong Wing
Yuen, and Kam Tuk Hing had the largest consumption. We therefore
in the 3rd. moon directed the Ki On Tai and Kwong Wing Yuen to
join together as the leading merchants of this trade. The Ki
On Tal, however, repeatedly petitioned to strongly decline
the offer and it was, for this xyxx" reason, that the business
was taken up by the Kwong Wing Yuen alone. In the 4th. moon the
Kam Puk Hing were told personally to take it up, but they also
absolutely refused to do so. Those who competed for the posse88-
-ion of the business from boginning to end at were the Kwong
Hung Cheong and the Kwong Yuen Shing, but their business was
very small, and their intention was only bo try their fortume.
Afterwards the Chamber of Commerce decided and replied that
since the Kwong Wing Yuen was selected by this bureau, the
business should still be given to, and conducted by, the
Kwong Wing Yuen.
After this merchant has started his business
he has, within the time of his trial, paid up the full amount
of $150,000 as deposit for security for the payment of taxes
and