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The measure is one of considerable importance as it is confidently expected to add materially to the permanent revenue of the Colony and thus to a considerable extent to counterbalance the increasing loss of revenue from opium a loss which, though it is gratifying in so far as it is due to decreased consumption is none the less extremely inconvenient from a financial point of view.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
BE-Stabbs
Governor, &c.