D (1) 3
opium is made which is sold in 3-tael tins at the head office. It is only purchased by the well-to-do classes and to prevent any chance of smuggling it is only issued to registered persons.
9. From the sales made to registered persons it is possible to get some idea of the amount of opium smoked by confirmed smokers. From March 1st to the end of the year the greatest quantity purchased by one person was 68 tins or 204 taels, which if all consumed by that person comes to 2/3 tael per diem. The average of the 17 largest purchasers is 49 tins or roughly 1 tael per diem. As purchases of this particular kind of opium are only made by well-to-do classes, it can I think be safely assumed that these are the heaviest smokers in the Colony and that the average local consumption falls very much below this figure.
10. It is not possible to compare with any accuracy the actual consumption of opium under the Government and under the Farm. The number of chests boiled per annum however gives an indication that a considerable reduction has been effected. In 1912 the total number of chests boiled was 1,113; in 1913, 667 and in 1914, 449.
11. The gross revenue derived from the sale of opium from March 1st, 1914, to December 31st, 1914, was $3,594,284. From this must be deducted the cost of raw opium and administrative charges. These cannot be separately set out exactly but may be taken to be roughly $900,000.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF RAW OPIUM.
12. Tables IV to VII show the details of the imports and exports of raw opium, but the figures are no longer of any real value. The import of certified opium from India ceased in January, 1914, and the trade is now confined to the gradual absorption by China of the stocks held in Shanghai and Hongkong. There have been some movements of opium between Hongkong and Shanghai but these have been due to temporary conditions and do not affect the general position. The price of certified opium remained more or less steady throughout the year.
13. A certain amount of Persian opium passed through the Colony, mostly for Formosa. A considerable quantity of the stock of Persian opium which has been lying in the Colony was shipped to London.
14. Uncertified Indian opium was imported into the Colony for the use of the Government and also for export to Macao for the use of the Macao Opium Farmer.
SUGAR.
15. Tables VIII and IX show details of the import of sugar for the year.
•
D (1) 3
opium is made which is sold in 3-tael tins at the head office. It is only purchased by the well-to-do classes and to prevent any chance. of smuggling it is only issued to registered persons.
9. From the sales made to registered persons it is possible to get some idea of the amount of opium smoked by confirmed smokers. From March 1st to the end of the year the greatest quantity purchased by one person was 68 tins or 204 taels, which if all consumed by that person comes to 2/3 tael per diem. The average of the 17 largest purchasers is 49 tins or roughly tael per diem. As purchases of this particular kind of opium are only made by well-to-do classes, it can I think be safely assumed that these are the heaviest smokers in the Colony and that the average local consumption falls very much below this figure.
10. It is not possible to compare with any accuracy the actual consumption of opium under the Government and under the Farm. The number of chests boiled per annum however gives an indica- tion that a considerable reduction has been effected. In 1912 the total number of chests boiled was 1,113; in 1913, 667 and in 1914, 449.
11. The gross revenue derived from the sale of opium from March 1st, 1914, to December 31st, 1914, was $3,594,284. From this innst be deducted the cost of raw opium and administrative charges. These cannot be separately set out exactly but may be taken to be roughly $900,000.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF RAW OPIUM.
12. Tables IV to VII show the details of the imports and exports of raw opium, but the figures are no longer of any real value. The import of certified opium from India ceased in January, 1914, and the trade is now confined to the gradual ab- sorption by China of the stocks held in Shanghai and Hongkong. There have been some movements of opium between Hongkong and Shanghai but these have been due to temporary conditions and do not affect the general position. The price of certified opium re- mained more or less steady throughout the year.
13. A certain amount of Persian opinn passed through the Colony, mostly for Formosa. A considerable quantity of the stock of Persian opium which has been lying in the Colony was shipped to London.
14. Uncertified Indian opian was imported into the Colony for the use of the Gwernment and also for export to Macao for the use of the Macao Opium Farmer.
SUGAR.
15. Tables VIII and IX show details of the import of sagar for the year.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.