509
(4)
Another point to which we desire to direct attention is the system adopted by the Opium Farmer on arrival of each River Steamer from Canton. A posse of his native servants invade our private wharves and steamers, and insist upon searching the baggage, etc. of the passengers as they land. This action is so contrary to the traditions of a "free port" that we are loth to believe it meets the sanction of the Government.
On reference to the Ordinance 1 of 1884, Section 27, it is lawful for an Inspector of Police, having reasonable ground for believing that there is boiled or prepared Opium in any ship within the waters of the Colony to take the action which daily occurs on board our steamers, but the Officer to be employed is an Inspector of Police, not the Farmer's native runners, and he must have a "reasonable belief."
This "belief" can hardly be "reasonable" when it is applied to, say, 1000 to 1500 passengers per diem.
Ordinance 22 of 1887, Section 20, permits of similar search on board vessels, but the Officer must be not under the rank of a Sergeant for the search for raw Opium.
So that unless we have misinterpreted the powers of the Opium Farmer, his action hitherto has been ultra vires. On the other hand, should he be within his rights we would suggest that a remedy be found to limit the inconvenience to which passengers by the Canton Steamers are subjected.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants.
THOS. ARNOLD,
Secretary,
Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steam-boating Co., Ld.
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Agents, China Navigation Company, Limited.
(5)
It cannot be traced accurately whether the implicated steward, on the Opium being taken from him, proceeded at once to give notice to the Opium Farmer of what had occurred, but it is known he left the vessel quickly. There can be no shadow of a doubt that he at once informed his employer of the occurrence hence the visit of the Excise Officer who demanded, not to search the vessel if he had that power, but that the three tins taken possession of by the Chief Officer should be restored to him, shewing he was accurately informed of what had actually taken place.
The connivance, if not the actual implication, of the Opium Farmer is plainly indicated in this case, and we will be glad if the Government will direct such steps be taken as shall prevent our being subjected to the recurrence of these initiatory acts of smuggling, which as you are fully aware, are fraught with most serious consequences to the steamer at Canton.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Agents, China Navigation Company, Limited.
The Honourable F. STEWART, M.A., LL.D.,
Colonial Secretary.
C
No. 1526.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
Hongkong, 24th October, 1888.
SIR,
HONGKONG, 23rd October, 1888.
As bearing upon the joint letter addressed to you by the Hongkong and Macao Steam-boat Company and ourselves on the 22nd September last, on the difficulties we encounter from the smuggling of Opium by our river steamer trading to Canton, with which we believe the Opium Farmer is intimately connected, we beg to bring to your notice the following incident.
On the 19th instant, at about 7.15 P.M., the Chief Officer of the Hankow detected one of the stewards of the vessel with two tins of Opium in one of the first-class state-rooms, which he was about to secrete. The Chief Officer took possession of the Opium pending the arrival of the Captain, who was absent, for instructions. Subsequently, about 8.30 P.M., the watchman of the steamer discovered another tin which was also handed to the Chief Officer. At 11 P.M., a man named ALLI BUX, who represented himself to be an Excise Officer and produced a General Warrant, No. 28, not a Specific Warrant, for the seizure of this Opium; called on board and demanded that the three tins should be delivered to him on behalf of the Opium Farmer. The three tins of Opium were handed to him.
SIR,
In reply to the joint letter from yourself and the Agents of the China Navigation Company, Limited, dated 22nd ultimo on the question of prepared Opium smuggled into Canton by the river steamers, I have the honour, by direction of the Governor, to state that the suggestion that the Opium Farmer should be held responsible, if possible, for all prepared Opium found on the Canton Steamers, until it paid duty to the Canton Customs, is impracticable, and would be also recognising a principle which cannot be acceded to. The dealers in piece-goods might equally be held responsible for their payment of duty all along the Chinese Coast; and, as Opium is smuggled from Macao and other places just as much as from Hongkong, His Excellency is of opinion that such a course as that suggested by you would be manifestly unjust to the Opium Farmer.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
FREDERICK STEWART, Colonial Secretary,
T. ARNOLD, Esq., Secretary,
Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, Limited,
509
(4)
Another point to which we desire to direct attention is the system adopted by the Opium Farmer on arrival of each River Steamer from Canton. A posse of his search- native servants invade our private wharves and steamers, and insist upon
This action is so contrary ing the baggage, etc. of the passengers as they land. to the traditions of a "free port" that we are loth to believe it meets the sanction of the Government.
On reference to the Ordinance 1 of 1884, Section 27, it is lawful for an Inspector of Police, having reasmable ground for believing that there is boiled or prepared Opium in any ship within the waters of the Colony to take the action which daily occurs on board our steamers, but the Officer to be employed is an Inspector of Police, not the Farmer's native runners, and he tuust have a "reasonable belief."
This "belief" can hardly be reasonable" when it is applied to, say, 1000 to 1500 passengers per diem.
Ordinance 22 of 1887, Section 20, permits of similar search on board vessels, but the Officer must be not under the rank of a Sergeant for the search for raw Opium.
So that unless we have misinterpreted the powers of the Opium Farmer, his action hitherto has been ultra vires. On the other hand, should he be within his rights we would suggest that a remedy be found to limit the inconvenience to which passengers by the Canton Steainers are subjected.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants.
THOS. ARNOLD,
Secretary,
Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steam-bout Co., Ld.
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Agents, China Navigation Company, Limited.
(5)
It cannot be traced accurately whether the implicated steward, on the Opium being taken from him, proceeded at once to give notice to the Opium Farmer of what had occurred, but it is known he left the vessel quickly. There can be no shadow of a doubt that he at once informed his employer of the occurrence hence the visit of the Excise Officer who demanded, not to search the vessel if he had that power, but that the three tins taken possession of by the Chief Officer should be restored to him, shewing he was accurately informed of what had actually taken place.
The connivance, if not the actual implication, of the Opium Farmer is plainly indicated in this case, and we will be glad if the Government will direct such steps be taken as shall prevent our being subjected to the recurrence of these initiatory sets of smuggling, which as you are fully aware, are fraught with most serious consequences to the steamer at Canton.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Agents, China Navigation Company, Limited.
The Honourable F. STEWART, M.A., LL.D.,
Colonial Secretary.
C
No. 1526.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
Hongkong, 24th October, 1888.
SIR,
HONGKONG, 23rd October, 1888.
As bearing upon the joint letter addressed to you by the Hongkong and Macao Steam-boat Company and ourselves on the 22nd September last, on the difficulties we encounter from the smuggling of Opium by our river steamer trad- ing to Canton, with which we believe the Opium Farmer is intimately connected, we beg to bring to your notice the following incident.
On the 19th justant, at about 7.15 P.M., the Chief Officer of the Hankow detected one of the stewards of the vessel with two tins of Opium in one of the first-class state-rooms, which he was about to secrete. The Chief Officer took possession of the Opium pending the arrival of the Captain, who was absent, for instructions. Subsequently, about 8.30 P.M., the watchman of the steamer dis- covered another tiu which was also handed the Chief Officer. At 11 PM., a man named ALLI BUx who represented himself to be an Excise Officer and produced a General Warrant, No. 28, 1.ot a Specific Warrant, for the seizure of this Opium; called on board and demanded that the three tins should be delivered to him on behalf of the Opium Farmer. The three tins of Opium were handed to him.
SIR,
In reply to the joint letter from yourself and the Agents of the Chinu Navi- gation Company, Limited, dated 22nd ultimo on the question of prepared Opium smuggled into Canton by the river steamers, I have the honour, by direction of the Governor, to state that the suggestion that the Opium Farmer should be held responsible, if possible, for all prepared Opium found on the Canton Steamers, until it paid duty to the Canton Customs, is impracticable, and would be also recognising a principle which cannot be acceded to. The dealers in piece-goods might equally be held responsible for their payment of duty all along the Chinese Coast; and, as Opium is smuggled from Macao and other places just as much as from Hongkong, His Excellency is of opinion that such a course as that suggested by you would be manifestly unjust to the Opium Farmer.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
FREDERICK STEWART, Colonial Secretary,
T. ARNOLD, Esq., Secretary,
Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, Limited,
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