11
salaries provided in the estimates for officers detached from other duties (Mr. Lockhart and afterwards Mr. Seth), to superintend the working of the arrangements made by Government, the total cost to Government will be found to amount to $5,155, which leaves a nett revenue of $174,500. The revenue during the corresponding period of last year was $105,000, and if the only offer made this year for the farm had been accepted, it would have yielded, provided the farmer had continued to work for six months, only $66,000. He reserved the right, however, of throwing up the farm at the end of three
months.
An estimate of the revenue for the next six months may, in my opinion, be safely based on that yielded during the last three months. The quantity boiled during the first period of three months was excessive, and should not be taken into account in calculating the probable receipts of the remainder of the year.
There is one important circumstance in connexion with this subject to which I believe your Lordship's attention has not yet been called. The opium which finds its way into China is raw opium, which is there prepared for consumption. Of the opium which is boiled or prepared here for consumption, about 60 to 75 per cent. is exported to California and Australia, and the rest is consumed in the Colony.
I have, &c.
W. H. MARSH, Administering the Government.
6849.
(No. 89.)
No. 11.
SIR G. F.BOWEN to the EARL OF DERBY.
(Received April 28, 1884.) [Answered by No. 12.]
Government House, Hong Kong
March 22, 1884.
MY LORD,
WITH reference to Mr. Marsh's Despatch of the 11th September ultimo,* trans- mitting a statement of the receipts and expenditure on account of the opium revenue, during the six months ending the 31st August ultimo, I have now the honour to transfait a statement, showing the annual receipts and expenditure.
2. From this statement it will be seen that the total receipts amount to $232,601 22c., the total expenditure to $8,375 82c., leaving a total nett revenue of $224,225 40c., which is over $14,000 in excess of the largest revenue ever previously received, viz., $210,000. This result cannot but be considered as highly satisfactory, and as reflecting credit on those officers upon whom has devolved the difficult task of carrying out the arrangements for the collection of the dues on opium, which, as your Lordship is aware, were farmed out in previous years. I think it only right to mention in this connexion the name of the present Puisne judge (Mr. Russell), to whose indefatigable exertions, when occupying the post of Colonial Treasurer, was mainly due the successful completion with the chief' opium boilers of those negotiations which have, in a great measure, led to the success attending the collection of the opium revenue during the past year.
I have, &c.
G. F. BOWEN.
Enclosure in No. 9.
Opium Revenue.
Comparative statement of receipts and expenditure during the past six months.
1888.
Receipts.
Expenditure.
Net Revenus.
Enclosure in No. 11.
OPIUM REVENUE.
STATEMENT of RECEIPTS and EXPENDITURE during the past 12 months.
C.
C.
March
April
May
17,412 89 43,944 11 74,609 67
June
July
August
10,287 72 13,840 32 20,112 34
606 92 515 80 913 93 H189 83
656 17
687 98
16,806 69 48,428 81 73,698 74 9,348 39 12,684 15 19,474 41
Receipta
Expenditure.
Net Revenue.
1883.
$
$
C.
March
Total
$179,654 55c.
14,220 08c.
$170,484 47c.
April
May
June
July
August
17,412 89 48,944 11 74,607 67 10,287 72 13,370 02 20,130 84
606 92 515 80 918 93 889 33 656 17 637 93
16,805 47 48,428 31
September
12,661 63
670 58
78,008 74 0,848 89 12,713 85 19,400 41 11,981 05
October
8,581 51
No. 10.
November
8,067 50
December
8,048 14
885 74 684 61 643 35
7,695 77 7,482 69 7,404 79
19969.
ACTING GOVERNOR MARSH to the EARL OF DERBY. (Received November 26, 1883.)
(No. 264.)
MY LORD,
Government House, Hong Kong,
October 22, 1883.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt on the 22nd instant of the following telegram from your Lordship
"Yours of 28 August. Approve course proposed. DERBY."
2. The period fixed for sending in tenders for the opium farm for next year expired on the 18th instant, and only one tender was received. The amount offered for 12 months
is less than the nett amount received by Government in five months of the present year.
I have, &c.
W. H. MARSH, Administering the Government.
1884.
January February
8,311 77 7,258 42
232,001 29
717
81
628 85
8,875 82
7,594 10 6,684 57
224,225 40
ARATHOON, SETH,
Hong Kong, March 1, 1884.
• No. 9.
Superintendent.
B 2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TEEN C.O. 882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
5PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON