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VIII. LEGISLATION.
Regulations were passed prohibiting the sale of prepared opium to minors and the sale of opium dross in accordance with the Convention 1925, and also the diversion in transit of consignments of drugs covered by import certificates without proper covering authority.
IX. ARMS.
Arms smuggling remained rife during the first half of the year, the chief sources were Germany and Belgium, but arms were shipped at other Continental ports such as Rotterdam and Marseilles. British ships touching at Continental ports were extensively used.
X. GENERAL STRIKE.
With the exception of the crew of the revenue launch who had only recently been engaged the whole of the Chinese staff remained loyal.
Some of the staff were employed in connection with the running of S.S. Tung On to Canton, selling tickets, checking cargo, and furnishing a guard on her first voyage on Government account. Some of the European R.O's were lent to the Police, others assisted the Harbour department in clearing ships. R.O Pearse assisted as butcher at the Kennedy Town slaughter-houses.
XI. STAFF.
GENERAL.
Mr. J. A. Fraser joined the department as Assistant on 17th September, 1925, but had already been transferred elsewhere before this report was completed.
Mr. C. J. Roe was transferred to the Harbour office on 1st November.
The Chinese Liquor trade was a serious source of corruption of the Chinese staff during the year. There were many dismissals due to malpractices in connection with Chinese Liquor, two coolies, two clerks and four Chinese Revenue Officers were so dismissed.
An additional European Revenue Officer was added to the Staff to control distilleries in the New Territory.
Many of the junior Chinese clerks were lent to the Post Office to take the place of those who had absconded, others were lent to the Censor.