E 5
Macau received over 1,400 chests of opium from Persia, though it is probable that a certain amount was really Benares opium. The ultimate distribution of this is unknown, but while such large supplies are available in a place with a small legitimate consumption so near Hongkong, there is a very considerable danger of a large part reaching this Colony ultimately in one form or another.
V—INDIAN OPIUM.
A few seizures were made of Indian Opium but none of any magnitude, but from documents seized it was apparent that elaborate arrangements had been made to attempt to smuggle Indian opium into China. In two cases, involving 340 chests in all, Benares opium was exported from India to Persia and was exported thence as Persian opium, and so ultimately reached China. The Indian trade returns for 1924 mention the export of opium to Persia. Apparently most of this opium was at once shipped to China or Macau.
VI—FORGERY OF GOVERNMENT OPIUM LABELS.
A good deal of illicit opium appears to have been sold to unsuspecting strangers as Government opium in pots bearing forged labels, especially in Chinese Hotels and Boarding Houses. Several convictions were obtained, but the source of the forgeries could not be traced in the Colony. They are apparently imported from outside, some at least from Kongmoon. In consequence of this the concession previously allowed to the larger Chinese Hotels of keeping small stocks of opium for the convenience of their guests was withdrawn.
VII. OPIUM Divans.
Early in the year a second European Revenue Officer was assigned to the work of the suppression of opium divans and placed in charge of the Kowloon Peninsula for that purpose with good results. The number of divans seems to remain constant notwithstanding the numbers dealt with by the Magistrates. The amount of illicit opium found at any one time in these divans was very small, replenishment being obtained from hawkers or agents of the owners of the divans several times a day. The number of opium pipes found in use tended to decrease, but in a low class divan the same pipe will be passed round a circle of smokers; thus one pipe and one lamp will suffice for four smokers at a time, one smoking while the next man is preparing his pellet of opium over the lamp. There was found to be a marked difference in the type of divan on either side of the water, the divan in Kowloon being as a rule on a much smaller scale, and using a cheaper type of opium. The majority of the divans were conducted by paid keepers, the real masters keeping in the background and being rarely discovered. In some cases the keeper only got his food and free opium, in other cases he received as little as $2 per month and his keep, but the