CO129-368 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [8-9] — Page 680

L

accompany 1.

Extract from the "South China Morning Post" of

24th. September, 1910.

The Canton Opium Licence.

Another Intended Monopolist's Application refused.

(Morning Post

Correspondent.)

€76

}

Canton, September 22.

Merchants, Lam Chan Hing and others, a few

days ago, sent an application to the Chief Opium Prohibition Bureau for the grant to them of the prepared opium licence

monopoly under the conditions that are at present in vogue.

The bureau, however, refused their application with the follow-

-ing endorsement:-

9

Before the commencement of the licence tax-

-ation by the bureau, we made an inquiry into the opium business

at Canton, and found that the three firms, Ki On Tai, Kwong Wing

Yuen, and Kam Tuk Hing had the largest consumption. We therefore

in the 3rd. moon directed the Ki On Tai and Kwong Wing Yuen to

join together as the leading merchants of this trade. The Ki

On Tal, however, repeatedly petitioned to strongly decline

the offer and it was, for this xyxx" reason, that the business

was taken up by the Kwong Wing Yuen alone. In the 4th. moon the

Kam Puk Hing were told personally to take it up, but they also

absolutely refused to do so. Those who competed for the posse88-

-ion of the business from boginning to end at were the Kwong

Hung Cheong and the Kwong Yuen Shing, but their business was

very small, and their intention was only bo try their fortume.

Afterwards the Chamber of Commerce decided and replied that

since the Kwong Wing Yuen was selected by this bureau, the

business should still be given to, and conducted by, the

Kwong Wing Yuen.

After this merchant has started his business

he has, within the time of his trial, paid up the full amount

of $150,000 as deposit for security for the payment of taxes

and