203
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of
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18. The Opium Farm did not exist until the following year, 1845. See the date of the Ordinance.
The Opium Farm was not the aim of the Europeans (there were Europeans) who farmed it, indeed by Mr. Matheson's statement in 1848 he was a man without capital and therefore had nothing to lose. That he could get redress from the Police Courts is also incorrect. In the Police Records, I find only 2 cases in which the European Farmer applied for the assistance of the law to enforce their rights; one is the case already alluded to: forming appendix 44 No.1946; in the other No.1980 a Chinese was charged with selling Opium without a License; he was convicted, and fined $50; on the evidence of one of the Farmers, and others. Yet Mr. Matheson in No.1949 gives a different account of the obstacles which led to the failure of the speculation of these Europeans, but again he affirms in No.1950 "that were these obstacles removed the difficulties would remain." Such obstacles alone were not sufficient to account for the failure.
I am not aware that any persons were precluded by Government from bringing provisions to Mr. Matheson. I think such a prohibition in the highest degree improbable.
203
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of
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18. The Opium Farm did not exist wuhl the following year, 1845. See the date of the Bedinance.
The Opinn Ferm was not the Amin of the beropean (there
AVOUES
2. Sucopeans) who farmed it, indeed
by
Mr Mathesons Batement in
To 1948 he was a man without VE
capital and therefore had nothing
That he could get
to lose
redress from the Police Couds it also incorrect. In the Police Records I find only 2 bases in which the European Farmer applied for the assistance of the law to enforce then rights; one is
forming appendis 44
the case
already attuded to: In the other
No.1946
No 1980
a Chinese was charged with selailing
Opium without - & License ; he was
convicted, and fined $50; on the
evidence of one of the Farmers, aand others. Yet Mrr Matheson in e
No
1949.
gives a different account of the obstacles which led to the failure
of the speculation of these Europeans. but again
he affirms
in No 1950
"' that were these obstacles removed
the difficulties would remain .
Such obstacles alone were
to account for the failure.
Jam not aware that
sufficient
that any persons
acc prebubated by Geveniment prose
bringing provisions to Mr. Matheson .
I think such a probibition in the higlust degree improbable.
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