906 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH DECEMBER, 1882.
In the financial years 1875-1876, the Hoppo admitted collecting duty on what Sir THOMAS WADE estimates piculs. 10,813 of that amount. Sir THOMAS WADE also allows 7,500 piculs for Hongkong boiling for export and local use, whilst the Governor's figures would lead to the conclusion that only 340 chests were boiled or prepared here. His Excellency states that the payment of the tax by the Opium Farmer of $205,000 is an ad valorem tax of more than 100 per cent., .e. the value of the Opium used is at the most $205,000 or equal about 340 piculs. The capital of the last Company was $1,400,000, and, as a first return, shareholders got 12 per cent. interest on the Capital.
(Copy)
No. 365.
HARBOUR DEPARTMENT, HONGKONG, 13th November, 1882.
SIR,-In compliance with your directions of the 11th instant, I have the honour to enclose a Return of the cases brought before the Marine Court since April, 1877.
The Return will show the class of vessels employed in Opium smuggling, together with their crews and armament, but it must be borne in mind that all junks, whether smuggling or trading, are armed as are the vessels in this Return.
The vessels employed as smugglers have for some time been fast pulling boats which can creep along the shore unobserved, and if they are seen, the crews are enabled to land and escape with their cargoes.
I may remark that none of the vessels engaged in smuggling are regularly employed as such. If a man is desirous of smuggling Opium, he hires any vessel that he can get.
In the enclosed Return the last case mentioned is one that came before two Magistrates, the The Offender was Honourable NG CHOY and myself, and will show the class of craft employed. convicted and his cargo and vessel were ordered to be forfeited--Sub-section 14, Section 38 of Ordinance 8 of 1879. The owner of the Opium appealed to the Supreme Court against this decision, and the Magistrates' finding was reversed, as the vessel was not held to be a "junk or seagoing vessel," and therefore did not come within the meaning of the Ordinance.
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&c.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
H. G. THOMSETT,
Harbour Master, &c.
RETURN of CASES brought before the MARINE MAGISTRATE under Section XXXVIII of Ordinance 8 of 1879, (Junks), since 1st April, 1877.
DATE.
SIZE OF VESSEL.
NO. OF CREW.
ARMAMENT.
NATURE OF CHARGE.
CARGO.
FINDING.
REMARKS.
1877 12th Nov.
Trading Junk, 4,000 piculs, 236
20
tons.
1878 13th Sept.
1880
4th June
Fishing Junk, 124 piculs, 7
tons.
Trading Junk, 1,000 piculs, 59
ions.
1880
16th August
Fishing Boat. 60 piculs, 8
tons.
6
10
Cannons 4, European Muskets 12. Pistols 4. Spears 17, Swords 4. Powder 200 lbs., Mixed Cannon Shot 400 lbs., Bullets 13 lbs.
European Muskets 4, Pistol 1, Spear 1, Sword 1, Powder 3 lbs., Bullets 5 lbs.
European Muskets 7, Spears 3, Powder 3 s., Bullets 7 lbs.
Nil.
1880 13th Sept.
Small rowing Boat.
4
Loaded Revolvers 2.
Furnishing un- true particulars to Harbour Office.
Leaving the Harbour without a clearance.
Furnishing un- true particulars to Harbour Office.
Neglect to report arrival.
Leaving the waters of the Colony without a clearance.
40 balls Opium.
Discharged.
350 balls Opium.
Discharged.
Opium.
90 balls Opium.
Junk and Cargo forfeited.
Fined 50 cents.
Magistrates ordered Junk and Cargo to be forfeited. Sub- section 9, Section 38 of Ordinance 8 of 1879.
Paid 64 Taels and 4 mace Lekin
at Hongkong.
Minutes of this case sent to Colonial Secretary, on the 7th June, 1880, and not re- turned to Harbour Office.
Minutes of this case sent to the Colonial Secretary, on 18th August, 1880, and not returned to Harbour Office.
Appealed against and convic- tion reversed, the vessel not being a "junk or sea-going vessel within the moaning
of the Ordinance,
Harbour Departinent,
Hongkong, 13th November, 1882.
(Signed)
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbour Master, &c.
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