- 3
103
Macao authorities seized 80,000 taels of Persian Raw opium
on a launch in the harbour. The master of the "Kairio“, on
being questioned by Macao officials denied having brought any goods from Bushire. According to cabled information from His Lajesty's Consul-General at Bushire (and also from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's agent) "Kairio" had 447 cases of Persian opium on board. That the whole consignment was landed at or near Lacao is scarcely open
to doubt; but whether the official seizure was a genuine
capture or not is less certain.
8.
It may be of interest to add that my recent
action in reducing the price of opium sold by the Hong Kong Government is popularly attributed to the machination of Lei Hy San who (it is suggested) selected this as the most effective method of putting a spoke into the wheel of his supplanter. It is a curious tribute to the effectiveness of
that step. The Superintendent of Imports and Exports reports
that, in point of fact, very little of these new brands has
been found locally since our price reduction.
Joo!!
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Governor, &c.