CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933 — Page 46

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Schedule "A" gives the amounts of fines imposed on the

vessels of the Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Company,

Limited, while Schedule "B" covers the fines imposed on

various coast and deep sea vessels consigned to their

agency.

Schedule "A" shows that during the year 1932

the equivalent of H.K.87,445.29 was paid by them on

behalf of the Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Company,

Limited, and it is to be noted that they were called upon

not only to pay for the duty on smuggled goods seized by

the Customs, but in many cases to pay a fine in addition. One fine imposed on the S.S. "Kinshan" on the 22nd

November was originally one of H.K. Tls. 1000, but was

ultimately reduced to one of H.K. Tls.100 when the matter

was referred to the Inspector-General of Customs at the

request of the Company.

Schedule "B" does not call for much comment except

for a fine of H.K. Tls. 75 imposed on the S.S. "Kamona"

on the 29th October, 1932. This vessel carried a full

cargo of coal from Samarinda to Whampoa and Canton via

Hongkong and as customary brought to Whampoa Hongkong

stevedores, who in turn brought 4 pairs of scales for the

The purpose of weighing the cargo over the ship's side. 4 scales were to be returned to Hongkong on completion of discharge. Owing to lack of knowledge of local conditions

the master of the S.S. "Kamona" did not manifest the

scales and was accordingly fined in spite of the most active protest by the Company and the master in person.

5. Messrs. Deacon and Company point out that fines imposed on their vessels become a considerable hardship at any time, but with the present conditions of trade and cut-throat competition fines on the above scale

appear