CO129-411 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [5-7] — Page 428

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NA CONFIDENTIAL.

relosure!

Sir,

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26091

Ree 17 JUL 141

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 24th. June, 1914.

423

With reference to your Confidential Despatch of

the 18th. of April, 1913, which I much regret has remained so long unanswered, I have the honour to explain that the 1,113 chests shewn in the statistics which accompanied my Confidential Despatch of the 19th. of March, 1913, represented the amount actually boiled

by the Farmer.

2.

I now transmit the enclosed statement showing

month by month the number of chests drawn, and the number actually boiled, by the Opium Farmer during the 3 years of the Farm from March, 1910, to February, 1913. According to contract he was limited to 900 chests a year and this limit was not exceeded.

During the extension of the Farm for the year

from 1st. March, 1913, to 28th. February, 1914, the Farmer was limit -ed to 660 cheste. No definite monthly rate was, however, fixed und he was actually allowed to boil during February in respect of the year which commenced on the lat. of harch, 1913, in order to prepare for sales on and after that date. I attach a statement showing the quantity boiled by the Farmer in respect of the period 1st. March, 1913, to 31st. January, 1914. He did not boil in February. I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

!

Governor,&c..

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P..

&C..

&c.,

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