CO129-502-10 Macao opium traffic 6-12-1926 - 7-12-1927 — Page 72

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Our needs are known to Your Excellency as this

Colony, has at present a residential population of 160,000

inhabitants.

Perhaps the Hong Kong Government may grant to this Colony the excess over the needs of Hong Kong from the gradual decrease of its local consumption, which I think will not prejudice the conditions of Your agreement with India.

I will lay the matter in this way, before His Excellency the Minister for the Colonies, should you find no in- convenience to my suggestions.

I thank Your Excellency once again, for the allowance of the 10 chests of raw Indian opium and will forward, to-morrow to Your Excellency remittance for 31,000,00.

The Harbour Office will send a launch under the

command of a Naval Officer to Hong Kong in order to transport the 10 chests of raw opium, and the Portuguese Consul there will be duly instructed to arrange for the delivery in the most convenient

manner,

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

(SD). A. T. de Souza Barboza,

Governor.