CO882-(4-5) — Page 342

1995.

88

Sir O. B. H. Mitchell

400

December 6, 1894, (Rec. Jan. 7, 1895.)

Suggests that the amendment of Ordinance IX. should stand over until the time comes for the reletting of the opium farm.

114

39

To Sir C. B. H. Mitchell

41

Feb. 7

Instructs him to introduce without delay the ordinance amending Ordinance No. IX. of 1894.

115

5955.

40

Ditto

352

Nov. 1

Requests further information as to the consumption of opium and the most effective methods of controlling its sale, in view of the report of the Royal Commission.

115

41

To Sir

Robinson.

William

265

November 1

Transmits copy of No. 40, and requests him to furnish information on the points raised therein, and to report on the question of the better control of smoking divans,

116

42

Sir C. B. H. Mitchell

487

1896.

December 10, 1895, (Rec. Jan. 6.) 1896.

Forwards Ordinance No. XIII. of 1895, amending the Opiam Ordinance 1804, prepared in accordance with Colonial Office instructions of 7th February 1895.

117

48

Ditto

114

March 24 (Rec. April 18.)

Expressen his views as to the desirability of imposing further restrictions on the sale of opium by increasing the license

119

fees, do.

44

Sir William Robinson

130

May 20 (Rec. June 29.)

Forwards reports by the Registrar General and Acting Treasurer as to the desira- bility of bringing oplum divans under direct Government control, and recom mends that this should be done on the expiration of the term of the present farm in 1898.

120

45

To Sir C. Mitchell.

281

July 10

Instructs him that the number of Hcensed shops need not be exceeded for some years to come, and that an Ordinance should be introduced excluding Malayn from the shops.

192

46

Sir W. Robinson

160

July 10

Approves the proposal that smoking divans should be placed under the direct control of the Government, and instructs him to take steps to exclude all other than adult males from the divans,

122

HONG KONG-STRAITS.

CORRESPONDENCE

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE

OPIUM

REVENUE

IN

HONG KONG

STRAITS

AND THE

SETTLEMENTS.

No. 1.

ACTING GOVERNOR MARSH to the EARL OF DERBY.

(Received April 10, 1883.) [Answered by No. 5.]

Government House, Hong Kong,

March 6, 1888.

(No. 46.) MY LORD,

I HAVE the honour to report that after protracted negotiations with Chinese concerned in the opium business, the only offer obtained for the farm for this year was one of $11,000 a month, instead of $17,500, the rate paid last year. I enclose copy of this offer, to which I would specially solicit your Lordship's attention.

2. I invited the members of the Executive and Legislative Councils to meet in conference on 1st February, when the position of Government was fully explained to them. At the suggestion of the Honourable F. B. Johnson, after a long discussion, consideration of the question was deferred until after the Chinese New Year's holidays, in the hope that some satisfactory arrangements might before then be made with the view of letting the farm. On the 20th ultimo the members of the two Councils again met in conference, when the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to, it being then quite apparent that the farm could not be leased, except at the very great reduction already referred to:-

1. The conference consider that there is evidence that at least 2,500 chests of opium

are boiled annually in Hong Kong, and recommend :--

2. That the Government should issue licenses at one fixed rate and levy a tax on boiling, under conditions to be made by the Governor in Council under section 3 of Ordinance 2 of 1858.

3. That the fee for each license should be $25 a month, and $2.25 be levied for each

ball boiled.

4. That the dross should be farmed, if possible, separately.

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3. The Executive Council subsequently passed the regulations annexed for the working by Government of the opium licensing. It will be observed that Government does not undertake "the direct control and supervision of the supply of opium to the public," but merely prescribes conditions under which opium is prepared for exportation to California or Australia, and also for local consumption. By far the greater portion of the opium so prepared is exported. That which is consumed here will be sold by persons who have previously obtained licenses from Government for that purpose in precisely the same manner as licenses are issued for sale of spirituous liquors.

A

U 16470.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

ITILLC.O. 882

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5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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