CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3] — Page 220

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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complained of, as far as the Opium licenses concerned. ... He also proposes that the Salt Weigher's tax, and in fact that nearly all taxes should be abolished, on the ground principally that their collection renders an objectionable interference on the part of the holders of these licenses necessary, and he states that a preventive service is kept up by the holders of the licenses for the purpose of maintaining their privileges.

From this position taken by Mr Campbell, but with the full impression that he believes his statement to be true, I must explicitly dissent. I assert that a preventive service is indeed necessary and has been in the Colony.

Since I have been in the Colony, I have made numerous and constant inquiries from Europeans and Natives on this subject, and this is the first time I have ever heard of such a body. I have reason to believe that Opium without a license is now sold in quantities under a chest not only by Chinese but by Europeans also. Before the strict monopoly was abolished by my predecessor in 1847, persons used to take out licenses from the Opium Farmer to enable them to retail Opium in less quantities than one chest, because he kept up a preventive service to uphold his rights, which were already observed under a strict monopoly.

I again repeat that I am satisfied there is no preventive service kept up by the holders of the Opium licenses, any more than there is by the other licensed dealers in spirits or any articles for which licenses are issued.

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complained of, as far as the Opium licenses concerned. ... He also proposes that the Salt Weigher's tax, and in fact that nearly all taxes should be abolished, on the ground principally that their collection renders an objectionable interference on the part of the holders of these licenses necessary, and he states that a preventive service is kept up by the holders of the licenses for the purpose of maintaining their privileges. From this position taken by Mr Campbell, but with the full impression that he believes his statement to be true, I must explicitly dissent. I assert that a preventive service is indeed necessary and has been in the Colony. Since I have been in the Colony, I have made numerous and constant inquiries from Europeans and Natives on this subject, and this is the first time I have ever heard of such a body. I have reason to believe that Opium without a license is now sold in quantities under a chest not only by Chinese but by Europeans also. Before the strict monopoly was abolished by my predecessor in 1847, persons used to take out licenses from the Opium Farmer to enable them to retail Opium in less quantities than one chest, because he kept up a preventive service to uphold his rights, which were already observed under a strict monopoly. I again repeat that I am satisfied there is no preventive service kept up by the holders of the Opium licenses, any more than there is by the other licensed dealers in spirits or any articles for which licenses are issued.
Baseline (Original)
1 10. complained of, as far as the Opium licenses concerned. . . He also proposes are that the Salt Weigher's tax, and in fact that nearly all. taxes should be abolished, the ground principally that their collection renders an objectionable, interference on the part of the holders of these licenses necessary, service is and he states that preventive. kept up by the holders of the licenses for the purpose of amaintaining their priviliges 10. From this position On/ the part of Mr Campbell, but with the full impression that he believes his statement to be true, I must be q leave- I that moct explicitly to dessent. S'assert Mo tive service is kept up, preventive indeed is one. necessary. been in the Colony, 3202 Since I have I have mader numerous and constant inquiries from 216 Europeans and Natives on this subject, and this is the first time I have ever heard of such a body, and I have reason to believe that Opium without a everry 41. is now sold license in quantities under a cbest not only by Chinese beet by Curopeans also . Before the strict monopoly was abolished by my predecessor in 1847, persons used to take out licenses from the Opium Farmer, to enable them to retail. Opium in less quantities than one chest, because he kept up? a preventive service to uphold his rights, then, which wvere already observed, a strict i monopoly. I again repeat that. I and satisfied there is aro · preventive service kept up by the holders of the Opium lineseses, any more than there are by the are other requisites. licensed - dealers in spirits or any articles for which licenses
2026-05-17 10:05:44 · Baseline
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1

10.

complained of, as far as the Opium licenses

concerned. . . He also proposes

are

that the

Salt Weigher's tax, and in fact that

nearly

all. taxes should be abolished, the ground principally that their collection renders an objectionable, interference

on

the part of the holders of these licenses

necessary,

service is

and he states that

preventive. kept up by the holders of

the licenses for the purpose of amaintaining

their priviliges

10.

From this position

On/

the

part of Mr Campbell, but with the full impression that he believes his statement to be true, I must be q leave-

I that

moct explicitly to dessent. S'assert

Mo

tive service is kept up,

preventive

indeed is one.

necessary.

been in the Colony,

3202

Since I have

I have mader

numerous and constant inquiries from

216

Europeans and Natives on this subject, and this is the first time I have ever heard of such a body, and I have reason to believe that Opium without a

everry

41.

is now sold

license in quantities under a

cbest not only by Chinese beet by Curopeans also . Before the strict monopoly was abolished by my predecessor in 1847, persons used to take out licenses from the Opium Farmer, to enable them to retail. Opium in less quantities than one chest, because he kept up? a preventive

service to uphold his rights,

then,

which

wvere

already observed, a strict i

monopoly. I again repeat that. I and satisfied

there

is aro

· preventive service

kept up by the holders of the Opium lineseses, any

more

than there

are

by the

are

other

requisites.

licensed - dealers in spirits or any

articles for which licenses

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