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SEMI-OFFICIAL CIRCULARS.
smuggling have proved of value, as demonstrating that such ventures can no longer be undertaken with impunity. This view is likewise shared by the provincial delegates, and the Minister of Finance has expressed his satisfaction and has requested me to arrange for further action on similar lines. It is clear that systematic patrol work along the coast from Foochow to Pakhoi is essential in the interest of the safety of the revenue, but the limited means at our disposal at present necessarily restrict our activities in this respect. In addition to patrol work afloat, however, it is obviously desirable for us to establish official relations with or preferably secure actual control of a few of the Native Customs establishments at the ports referred to above. The Ministry of Finance have already shown a disposition to extend our responsibilities in this direction elsewhere by placing in my hands the administration of various important extra-50-li Native Customs in Anhwei, Kiangsu, and Chekiang; and I suggested that an extension of this principle in the southern districts is also desirable (vide Circular No. 4069).
In conclusion, I append for record a copy of a relative communication from the Shu, together with a copy of my despatch to Mr. BELL, on the general subject of his investigatory work while detached on special duty in connexion with proposed preventive measures, and referring more particularly to the successful raid on Wusu () Island mentioned in his report.
I am,
SIR,
Your obedient Servant,
F. W. MAZE,
Inspector General.
SEMI-OFFICIAL CIRCULARS.
ENCLOSURE No. 1.
SOUTH-EAST CHINA COAST INVESTIGATION COMMISSION.
3
FROM the 25th February to the 28th March 1930 the revenue cruiser Pingching was employed upon one of the most interesting experiments that has been embarked upon, perhaps, since the inception of the Maritime Customs; and one that may have far-reaching results.
Acting under the instructions of the Central Government at Nanking, delegates were officially appointed by the Kwangtung and Fukien provincial governments to accompany the writer on a tour along the south-east coast between Hongkong and Foochow, with the primary object of inquiring into the feasibility of the Maritime Customs effecting a footing at points upon the coast to be chosen; this footing to be for the purpose of observing and checking the free trading known to be carried on extensively by Japanese motor vessels plying between foreign ports such as those of North and South Formosa also illegally in the case of foreign vessels-Hongkong and Macao, and places not open to trade on the South China littoral.
The delegates appointed were, for Kwangtung, Mr. HUANG SHANG ( ), Secretary to the Canton and District Superintendent of Customs, and for Fukien, Mr. YAO TS'AI-LIANG (f), Deputy to the Superintendent of Customs, Foochow. At my request a member of the staff of the Swatow Superintendent was deputed to accompany the Commission as being acquainted with the district around Swatow. The writer was also accompanied upon the tour by the following members of the Customs appointed for this purpose: Mr. CHA I-CHING (E), 3rd Assistant, B, and Mr. G. H. WHITE, Assistant Boat Officer, A. Commander G. H. RUXTON Commanded the revenue cruiser Pingching.
The expedition left Swatow on the 28th February, cruised round Namoa Island; stand by for a night at the request of the Japanese s.8. Paling Maru that had gone ashore on the island in fog; and commenced by spending three days off the deep indentations north-east of Swatow known as Challum or Shihlin () Bay, Chaoan () and Owick Bays. Thence the ship put in at Tungshan () Harbour for two days and then proceeded up the coast to Amoy. From Amoy the coast around Quemoy Island, Huitau Bay and Chungwu was visited. After a call in connexion with lights service at Ockseu Island a close survey was made of the coast-line from the above points to the mouth of the Foochow River, the party landing at Pinghai (4) and cruising up Hinghwa Bay and River by steam pinnace to San-chiang- k'ou. After a couple of days round Masu Island and the mouth of Santu Inlet the Pingching put into Pagoda Anchorage to allow the party to visit the Foochow officials together with the Fukien delegate, who now left the ship. On the 19th March Amoy was revisited for a day after an interesting exploration of the passages between Quemoy Island and Little Quemoy. After Amoy Tungshan was again visited, also Challum Bay. At Swatow the ship's steam pinnace, with the party on board, explored the back of Haimen Island, passing by the Tatapu Creek from Swatow Harbour to the sea at Haimen where the Pingching was again
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