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307
Copy.
From H.B.M. Consul General, Batavia. To British Consular Agent,
Koepang.
sir,
BATAVIA,
17th March, 1919.
With reference to correspondence on the subject of the Opium Monopoly in Portuguese Timor ending with my telegram of the 3rd of January last, I have to enclose copy of a letter which I have received from His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong, and I would request you to be so good as to furnish me with your comments thereon, and especially with regard to "Manufacture and exportation of prepared opium”.
I am, etc.,
(sd): W.N, DUNN.
Copy.
To H.B. M. Consul General,
Batavia.
HONGKONG,
From H. E. Governor, Hongkong.
No. 2530/1919.
19th February, 1919.
Sir,
I have the honour to call your attention to the ac- tion of the Portuguese Authorities in Timor in inviting tenders for a prepared opium monopoly for the Colony, at an upset price of $200.000 per annum. 500 chests per annum are to be allowed duty free, and a further quantity if desired at 8400, per chest. The contract is for the "manufacture and exportation of prepared opium", and it is expressly stated that there is to be no sale to the "natives" of Timor. There is further a reservation pro-
viding for purchase by the new contractor of plant be- longing to "the former contractor Leong Kwong", but, I
am informed there has been no "farm" in Timor for some
time/
!