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Extract of letter from Messrs. W. MANSFIELD & Co., LTD., SINGAPORE.
Dated 6th January, 1916.
OPIUM.It has come to our knowledge that the smugglers at home operate from Swansea occasionally when opportunity offers. No doubt you are aware of the fact and are taking such steps as are possible to checkmate them.
Extract of letter from Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, HONG KONG,
Dated 12th January, 1916,
"MENTOR "OPIUM SMUGGLING.-The 1,000 lbs. mentioned in our letter of 28th October forms part of a total of 3,400 lbs., which was, we are informed, the total quantity seized. Our remarks were written after discussing the occurrence with the Master, and we certainly understood the 1,100 lbs. to have been discovered in the 'tween deck. The larger amount-over 2,000 lbs.—was found subsequently. We are making enquiries and will write further next mail.
Extract from letter sent by Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, HONG KONG.
*
Dated 19th January, 1916.
**MENTOR -OPIUM SMUGGLING. We are informed by the Officer who made the seizures that 1,100 lbs. were discovered in the firemen's forecastle on the night of the 26th/27th October, and the larger quantity of about 2,400 lbs. in No. 6 lower hold on 27th October. The position described by the Master is therefore that in which the second seizure was made. The first seizure was made when the steamer was at anchor in the harbour waiting to go alongside Holt's Wharf and before discharge was commenced.
Extract of letter from Messrs. W. MANSFIELD & Co., LTD., PENANG.
Dated 22nd January, 1916.
"PROTESILAUS." On the arrival of this vessel at 4.30 p.m. on 18th inst. Captain Braithwaite reported that the following opium had been found by the Chief Steward, tho total weight being 10 lbs.
Eight packets underneath the washstand in Captain's bathroom.
Two packets in the hollow space beneath the bottom drawer of the chest of drawers in the 2nd Engineer's room.
The Officers' boy and the Engineers' boy were both given into custody, the latter admitting his guilt on arrest. They were prosecuted next morning at the instance of the Government Monopolies Department, when the Captain's boy also pleaded guilty. They received sentenco of four months' rigorous imprisonment or a fine of $500 each. The fine was not paid.
Extract of letter from Messrs. W. MANSFIELD & Co., LTD., SINGAPORE.
Dated 4th February, 1918. OPIUM-We thank you for copy of your confidential letter to Shanghai with copies of enclosed correspondence.
Duplicate statement of seizures on companies' steamers during 1915 is enclosed. The Carpenter of S.S.Eumæus" found about 2 lbs, concealed in ventilator on the outward voyage. On arrival here a small tin and a small bladder were found in a fireman's bunk by Revenue Officers-the fireman was fined $100, which was paid.
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