E 7
V. ARMS.
Smuggling was much less rife owing to the cessation of civil war, and the active steps taken by the Canton Government to free the country from bandits. Most of the arms seized were found at one time. Practically all smuggling on the small scale by Chinese returning from U.S.A. has ceased, a sign of increasing belief in the security of life and property in the country villages.
VI. STAFF.
The conduct of both the European and Chinese Revenue staff was excellent. There were exceptionally few changes amongst the Chinese staff.
VII. GENERAL.
1. The work of the Department was seriously handicapped by considerable sickness amongst the European Revenue staff, no fewer than 5 were incapacitated for considerable periods. Some others also were prevented by fever from attending to duty for shorter periods.
2. The control of small craft of under 100 piculs capacity, frequenting the various harbours of the Colony gave serious trouble during the year. 41 such craft were seized by this Department and 7 by the Police for carrying contraband. Until some method of stricter control has been devised, the smuggling of opium, liquor, tobacco and arms will flourish. It is probable that most of the illicit opium sold in this Colony is kept on small craft in the harbour in quantities never more than a few hundred taels at any one time, and conveyed ashore by boat women concealed on their persons, a few taels at a time; being taken direct to the purchasers ashore. Such women are exempt from search unless they meet a female Chinese Revenue Officer, of whom only a few can be employed.
(b) Many of such craft bear the significant nickname "Rat" boats in Chinese, a meaning indicating that they are the homes of water rats; many of them appear to have no economic reason for existence, they pretend to be fishing boats, but fishing tackle is rarely found on the boats searched on suspicion, and they are too small and slow to be used for carrying passengers. The existence of over 12,000 of this type of craft makes preventive work almost impossible in this Colony.
E 7
V. ARMS.
Smuggling was much less rife owing to the cessation of civil war, and the active steps taken by the Canton Government to free the country from bandits. Most of the arms seized were found at one time. Practically all smuggling on the small scale by Chinese returning from U.S.A. has ceased, a sign of in- creasing belief in the security of life and property in the country villages.
VI. STAFF.
The conduct of both the European and Chinese Revenue staff was excellent. There were exceptionally few changes amongst the Chinese staff.
VII. GENERAL.
1. The work of the Department was seriously handicapped by considerable sickness amongst the European Revenue staff, no fewer than 5 were incapacitated for considerable periods. Some others also were prevented by fever from attending to duty for shorter periods.
2. The control of small craft of under 100 piculs capacity,. frequenting the various harbours of the Colony gave serious trouble during the year. 41 such craft were seized by this Department and 7 by the Police for carrying contraband. Until some method of stricter control has been devised, the smuggling of opium, liquor, tobacco and arms will flourish. It is probable that most of the illicit opium sold in this Colony is kept on small craft in the harbour in quantities never more than a few hundred tacts at any one time, and conveyed ashore by bont women concealed on their persons, a few taels at a time; being taken direct to the purchasers ashore. Such women are exempt from search unless they meet a female Chinese Revenue Officer, of whom only a few can be employed.
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(b) Many of such craft bear the significant nickname "Rat" boats in Chinese, a meaning indicating that they are the homes of water rats,' many of them appear to have no economic reason for existence, they pretend to be fishing boats, but fishing tackle is rarely found on the boats searched on suspicion, and they are too small and slow to be used for carrying passengers. The existence of over 12,000 of this type of craft makes pre- ventive work almost impossible in this Colony.
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