CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929 — Page 95

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His Excellency: In Sir Frederick Iugard's time the question of negotiating a Customs Convention,

similar to that which Manking now has in mind, was brought up and I was authorised to discuss the

matter with r. A.H. Harris, thon Commissioner for

Kowloon and District.

We prepared a draft Customs Agreement but while the matter was still

under discussion, I was transferred elsewhere and

therefore was not here during the concluding stages

of discussion. I went away in 1913, but the

discussion continued and the final draft is dated

24th April, 1918 - I have nothing more recent. Subsequently in 1920 Mr. Harris proposed an

additional clause as follows :-

"In considoration of the facilities given

"by the foregoing Agreement to the

"Chinose Customs Service to function in

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"Hong Kong and District and of the

arrangements to be made by the Government

of Hong Kong to this end, the Chinese

"Govermont agrees to contribute towards

the expenses of the Colony of Hong Kong

*5% of all revenue collected by the Customs Offices in Hong Kong both on general cargo and on salt in excess of the average "collection of the past three years.

Payments shall be made quarterly during the

duration of this Arocment".

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