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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference

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COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE ]

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

The

statement of the Commerce carried on. principal English Firm, that of Jardine and Matheson, is chiefly engaged in the smuggling of Opium along the boast, and a smuggling Frade is also carried on in Salt, which is prohibited to

to foreigners as an Impint. A surprising improvement has taken place during the last year

- in the Chinese Shops . The Colonial Almanac, of which I have directed two copies to be forwarded, contains List of three hundred and eightyeight.

al

increase as well as

Retail Dealers, in addition to the three Government Markets.

commerci

A principal obstacle to the Chines

of the place, the system of

Piracy which infests the approaches from the East and West; but measures which

are now in

& progress for checking this,

( and which shall be reported hereafter)

Crown Lanos.

will I trust have a tendency to remedy. the evil. Any local measures would be useless previous to the receipt of the Vice= Adonirally Commision, which is daily. expected by the Mail Steamer.

My previous Despatches will have

shown that the small.

6 quantity of level. land available in the Colony for agriculture must always restrict this branch of productive industry within narrow bounds; but the few pallies which are to be found will probably be devoted to the growth of market vegetables rather than Rice, which can always be imported by Shipping. A better prospect exists for

- making to secure an internal supply of Bullocks for the use of the Commissariat.

Pasture, and endeavours are,

I regret to state, (as before observed), that I perceive no immediate prospect

will

of

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