AnnualReport-1910 — Page 124

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Opium.

13. The imports of raw opium show a decrease of 3,990 chests, or 11.1%, while 1909 shewed a decrease of 6,087 chests, or 14.5%. The exports declined by 7,6411 chests, or 21'2%; in 1909 the decrease was 3,620 chests, or 97%. During the last three years the raw opium trade of the Colony is described by the following figures :-

1909. 1908.

1910.

Stock in hand, 1st January,. Imported during the year,

4,509 chests. .31,743

"}

5,808 35,734 41,821

4.707

Total,.

.36,252

41,542 46,528

""

Boiled by Opium Farmer,.

782

Spurious Opium destroyed,

14

Exported during the year,..

28,333

1,044 51 35,938 39,609

864

247

Total,.

.29,129

37,033 40,720

Stock remaining, 31st December, 7,123

4,509 5,808

Of the several varieties of opium imported, Malwa decreased by 315 chests, or 6%, Patna by 3,241 chests, or 16.6%, Benares by 1,885 chests, or 22.5%, and Persian increased by 249 chests. Of Chinese opium, 1,223 chests were imported from Shanghai and re-exported to Haiphong. (See Table page 56).

Of the several varieties of opium exported, Malwa decreased by 735 chests or 13.8%, Patna by 5,317 chests, or 27%, Benares by 2,273 chests, or 268% and Persian by 517 chests or 18-8 %. (See Table page 56).

Fourteen thousand three hundred and one (14,301) permits for export and removal were issued from this Office during the year being a decrease of 4,822 as compared with 1909 as follows:-

NUMBER OF PERMITS, &c., Issued.

1909. | 1910.

Increase.

Decrease.

Landing Permit, (Opium),

Removal

285 312 8,7646,731

*

27

2,033

Export

"

*

8,829 6,258

2,571

Removal

"

Export

"1

Landing Permit, (Opium Skins),

Memo of exports to the Commissioner

of Chinese Customs,

133

87

46

3

4

"

"

149

109

40

681

569

112

Memo of exports to the Superintendent of Raw Opium Department, Macao,

279

231

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