Memorandum in regard to the transit through the territory of Hong Kong of 83 cases of Opium.
30
Early in March, 1930, an armed launch flying the
Chinese flag ran ashore in British territory upon an island
south of Hong Kong. In the launch were 83 cases each con-
taining 166 tins, each weighing 33 pounds and bearing the
label of the Opium Suppression Bureau of Kwang Tung marked
in chinese: "Stamp of Medicinal Material for curing the Opium Habit" and "Allowed to be consumed everywhere in the interior".
The Captain of the launch stated that the cases contained
"anti-opium medicine material" on its way to Swatow and pro-
duced permits issued by the Opium Suppression Bureau of Kwang Tung at Canton for the transport of 83 cases of "Tien" opium,
described as a medicated paste or drug, to Swatow for the Branch
sale department of the Bureau at that port. On an analytical
examination the contents of the cases were found to be chinese
Raw Opium. As the requirements of the Hong Kong Opium Ordinance in.
regard to the transit of opium had not been complied with, the
opium was detained by the Hong Kong Authorities who, in view of
the chinese law on the subject of opium, referred the matter to
H.M. Government for directions.
Subsequently a request for the return of the consignment
to Canton was received from the Mayor of the canton Municipality who stated that it consisted of "anti-opium medicine materials" for use with other medicinal substances in the preparation of
medicine for the gradual cure of opium addicts, that it was being taken by a Superintendent of the Kwang Tung Opium Suppression Bureau (who was also captain of the launch) under instructions
from the Bureau to the District Opium Suppression Bureau at
Swatow there to be made into medicines and that owing to the fog the launch had inadvertently entered the territory of Hong Kong.
H.M./