CO129-214 - Public Offices & Others - 1883 — Page 471

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

The objection to the fact that the duty exceeds the value of the Bory Kony is not so much the fact that the duty exceeds the value, but that the duty does not depend on the strength of the spirit.

I would suggest something to this effect in reply, leaving aside the fact that the duty does not depend on the strength of the spirit.

The question is whether an excise duty on spirits should be based on what appears to be the current scale of duty according to their strength, which would be more equitable and more suitable, but that there might be difficulties in working such a system.

Even supposing the statute framed to meet this difficulty, "this is no way thrown upon us to do."

MINUTE PAPER.

437

I have no knowledge on this matter. We must wait & see what Space has brought, & what the Chamber has said in extenso.

Since writing the above, I have seen my Brother who has to deal with this question at the Strand of Leade, from whom I annex a letter just received.

I understand that the English standard fixes 100 degrees as representing half of what is arbitrarily called proof spirit; ordinary potable spirits are from 80 to 90, viz: 20 to 30 degrees below proof, & the stronger spirits are from 10 to 30 degrees above proof.

To depress the strength below 70 degrees is to make it unfit for use (e.g. spirit for medicinal purposes).

Page 437 appears to be a part of the original document, and the formatting has been preserved accordingly.


Dec 3

Moog, 30/11

Bo depress 70. below

aries 20 to 30 viz 80 to 70 degrees alar proof, while face officit

Page information is kept as is.

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2026-05-24 05:42:38 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
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The objection to the fact that the duty exceeds the value of the Bory Kony is not so much the fact that the duty exceeds the value, but that the duty does not depend on the strength of the spirit. I would suggest something to this effect in reply, leaving aside the fact that the duty does not depend on the strength of the spirit. The question is whether an excise duty on spirits should be based on what appears to be the current scale of duty according to their strength, which would be more equitable and more suitable, but that there might be difficulties in working such a system. Even supposing the statute framed to meet this difficulty, "this is no way thrown upon us to do." MINUTE PAPER. 437 I have no knowledge on this matter. We must wait & see what Space has brought, & what the Chamber has said in extenso. Since writing the above, I have seen my Brother who has to deal with this question at the Strand of Leade, from whom I annex a letter just received. I understand that the English standard fixes 100 degrees as representing half of what is arbitrarily called proof spirit; ordinary potable spirits are from 80 to 90, viz: 20 to 30 degrees below proof, & the stronger spirits are from 10 to 30 degrees above proof. To depress the strength below 70 degrees is to make it unfit for use (e.g. spirit for medicinal purposes). Page 437 appears to be a part of the original document, and the formatting has been preserved accordingly. Dec 3 Moog, 30/11 Bo depress 70. below aries 20 to 30 viz 80 to 70 degrees alar proof, while face officit Page information is kept as is.
Baseline (Original)
If this is the cxplanation The objection to the much they fact is not to much the fact that the duty exceeds the value of the Bory Kony thick as that the duty does not, defend on the sheeryth of of the spirit- Swould Anggest wore thing to this offech in reflying leaving The 10. Es de timane whether au amx on what plaps thays saying however that's Car taken in the mattin scale of dub according to then the world be more equity Made in be more suitable, but that Siam there might be goods in working Auch a difficulty System Romibly pa Even Aipposing the Siauter framment to ment which ther "This in no w way Thorunned to do. MINUTE PAPER. 437 I have no knabye on this matter We must wat & bar what Space has brag, & what the Camb has Gray in Exetenso. whew Li ale palet is received вить. Guess. Dec 3 Sunicer writing the above I have seen my Brother who has to deal with this grection at the strand of Leade, from whom Jannex In letter just received. I understand that the English standard fixes 100 degrees as representing havof what is allitrarily called proof thail, to this ordinary potable from 80 to gov viz: 20204 to 90 accor ding Spirits are from to depers below fore, & the stronge 10 and. 30/11 Moog, Bo depress 70. blow aries 20 to 30 vez 80 to 70 degren alar proof, while face oficit (e.g. sprit.
2026-05-24 05:42:38 · Baseline
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If this is the cxplanation The

objection to the

much they fact

is not to much the fact that the duty exceeds the value of the Bory Kony thick as that the duty does not, defend on

the sheeryth

of

of the spirit-

Swould Anggest wore thing to this offech in reflying leaving

The 10. Es de timane whether

au

amx on

what plaps

thays saying however that's

Car

taken in the mattin scale of dub

according to then the world

be more equity Made in be more suitable, but that

Siam there might be goods in working Auch a difficulty System Romibly pa

Even

Aipposing the Siauter framment to ment which ther

"This in no w

way

Thorunned to do.

MINUTE PAPER.

437

I have no knabye on this matter

We must wat & bar what

Space has brag, & what the Camb

has Gray

in Exetenso.

whew Li

ale palet

is received

вить. Guess. Dec 3

Sunicer writing the above I have seen my Brother who has to deal with this grection at the strand of Leade, from whom Jannex In letter just received.

I understand that the English standard fixes

100 degrees as

representing

havof

what is allitrarily called proof thail,

to this ordinary potable from 80 to gov viz: 20204

to 90

accor

ding

Spirits are from

to depers below fore, & the stronge

10

and. 30/11

Moog,

Bo depress

70. blow

aries 20 to 30 vez 80 to 70 degren alar proof, while face oficit (e.g. sprit.

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