CO129-228 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1886 [7-9] — Page 23

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

21

the wish of the Hong Kong Government to give it could in preventing Hong Kong being made the base of smuggling operations into China. - them every reasonable assistance

We met again on the 1st Instant. & Sir Robert Hart shewed that smuggling by armed bands of Chinese in the early days = that smuggling was most difficult to prevent when the Customs Authorities had only to collect 30 taels per picul, & that now, when they have to collect 110 taels it will be much more difficult.

I took occasion to point out that the Chinese Government had two channels for the collecting of duty on Opium, the Foreign Inspectorate collecting duty from Foreign ships, & the native Collectrate for that imported by junks, that 25 per cent is given back to the shippers of opium by junks, & that no opium would likely be shipped through the Foreign Inspectorate which gave no such return. This he said it was intended to put a stop to.

After a good deal of discussion he stated that what the Chinese Government had to consider was the best way of collecting the heavy duties of 110 taels, and that there are only three ways of doing it. "China to do it alone is a way which will be very expensive, which will work a great deal of trouble, and probably irritation, in various quarters, but it will be certain & effectual if we do it ourselves. It will be expensive & troublesome but effectual.

"The second way would be for England to do it for us, to collect the Revenue which China is to have from Opium, from India, ......

And

Edit History

2026-05-25 04:32:01 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
21 the wish of the Hong Kong Government to give it could in preventing Hong Kong being made the base of smuggling operations into China. - them every reasonable assistance We met again on the 1st Instant. & Sir Robert Hart shewed that smuggling by armed bands of Chinese in the early days = that smuggling was most difficult to prevent when the Customs Authorities had only to collect 30 taels per picul, & that now, when they have to collect 110 taels it will be much more difficult. I took occasion to point out that the Chinese Government had two channels for the collecting of duty on Opium, the Foreign Inspectorate collecting duty from Foreign ships, & the native Collectrate for that imported by junks, that 25 per cent is given back to the shippers of opium by junks, & that no opium would likely be shipped through the Foreign Inspectorate which gave no such return. This he said it was intended to put a stop to. After a good deal of discussion he stated that what the Chinese Government had to consider was the best way of collecting the heavy duties of 110 taels, and that there are only three ways of doing it. "China to do it alone is a way which will be very expensive, which will work a great deal of trouble, and probably irritation, in various quarters, but it will be certain & effectual if we do it ourselves. It will be expensive & troublesome but effectual. "The second way would be for England to do it for us, to collect the Revenue which China is to have from Opium, from India, ...... And
Baseline (Original)
21 the wish of the Hong Kong Government to give it could in preventing Hong Kong being made the base of smuggling operations into China . - them every reasonable, assistance We met again on the 1th Instant. & Sir Robert Hart shewed that smuggling by of opium had been carried on early armed bands of Chinese in the earl days = that smuggling was most in difficult to prevent when the bustoms Authorities had only to collect 30 taels per picul, & that now; when they have to collect 110 tails it will be much more. difficult. I took occasion to point out that the Chinese Government had two Channels for the collecting of duty on Opium, the Foreign Inspectorate collecting dute, from Foreign ships, & the native Collectrate for that imported by jimks, than รุ that 25 per bent is given back to the shippers of opium by junks, & that thes no opium would likely be shipped through the Foreign Inspectorate which gave no This he said it was Auch return. intended to put a stop to. After. a good deal of discussion he stated that what the Chinese Government had to consider, was the best. way of collecting the heavy duties of 110 tails, and that there are only One way is for three ways of doing it. "China to do it alone.. " That is a way way which " will be very expensive which will work a "great deal of trouble, and probably irritation, " in various quarters, but it will be certain де -effective if we do it ourselves. _ It will be "expensive & troublesome but effectual. " "The second way would be for England to "do it for us, to collect the Revenue which " China is to have from Opicin, from India, ...... And
2026-05-25 04:32:01 · Baseline
View content

21

the wish of the Hong Kong Government

to

give it could in preventing Hong Kong being made the base of smuggling operations into China . -

them every reasonable, assistance

We met again on the 1th Instant.

& Sir Robert Hart shewed that smuggling

by of opium had been carried on

early armed bands of Chinese in the earl days =

that smuggling was most in difficult to prevent when the bustoms Authorities had only to collect 30 taels per picul, & that now; when they have to collect 110 tails it will be much more.

difficult.

I took occasion to point out

that the Chinese Government had two Channels for the collecting of duty on Opium, the Foreign Inspectorate collecting dute, from Foreign ships, & the native Collectrate for that imported by jimks,

than

รุ

that 25 per bent is given back to the shippers of opium by junks, & that thes no opium would likely be shipped through the Foreign Inspectorate which gave no This he said it was

Auch return.

intended to put a stop to.

After.

a

good deal of discussion he stated that what the Chinese Government had to consider,

was the best.

way

of collecting the heavy duties of 110 tails, and that there are only

One way

is for

three ways of doing it. "China to do it alone..

"

That is a way

way which

" will be very expensive which will work a "great

deal of trouble, and probably irritation,

" in various quarters, but it will be certain

де

-effective if we do it ourselves. _ It will be "expensive & troublesome but effectual.

"

"The second way would be for England to "do it for us,

to collect the Revenue which

" China is to have from Opicin, from India,

......

And

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.