CO129-411 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [5-7] — Page 426

NA CONFIDENTIAL.

sir.

C

26090 RECP

Rot 17. L

GOVERNMENT' HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 23rd. June, 1914.

421

In continuation of my Confidential Despatch of the 12th. May, I have the honour to inform you that the Kwong-chau- -wan Government Opium Monopoly is reported to have held another auction-sale of raw opium on the 16th. June and to have sold 150 chests at 85,250 per chest. Only licence-holders of two years' standing were I understand allowed to purchese.

2.

As I explained in the Despatch under reference this large quantity of opium is likely to find its way into China eventually. The regulations do not permit any raw opium to be prepared in Kwong-chau-wan, and the local Monopoly procures the whole of its supplies of prepared opium from the Government Monopoly at Haiphong in Indo-China.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

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Governor,&c. -