CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 333

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the Chinese Customs specially deputed for that

purpose.

(VI) All Ordinances regarding the possession,

movement, preparation or sale of opium in the

should be done at Hong Kong to meet Chinese revenue

requirements.

I may however express the opinion that

Colony and its waters, afloat and ashore shall be

rigidly enforced by the Colonial executive and its

officers rewarded from proceeds of seizures with

a view to encouraging zeal.

All proceeds of sale of confiscated goods

shall be divided equally between the Chinese

and Colonial Governments.

(VII) No arms, munitions of war or contra-

band goods may be shipped on any vessel proceeding

to a Chinese port, in Hong Kong or its waters

without a permit issued or countersigned by the

Chinese Customs.

(VIII) The Hong Kong Government shall pass

such legislation as may be necessary to give effect

to the above provisions.

The above numbered paragraphs are put forward

merely to represent what I consider it proper

should

the system it provides for, and more especially the recognised presence of a fully authorized Chinese Customs at Hong Kong, gives promise of enabling

measures to be taken which will make the working of

the West River trade, especially at those places of call to seawards of the first port (Samshui) consider-

ably easier than at present;

also, of securing

arrangements which might facilitate the trade

anticipated to grow up under the new inland steam

navigation rules.

In both respects anything which

may be possible and without a Custom House I do not see

that much will be possible

is sure to redound to

the commercial advantage of the Colony as well as of

On this point however the

occasion does not call upon me to say more at

the Chinese trade.

present.

I have, &c.,

Robert Hart.

Inspector General of Customs.