Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 110

( 21 )

49.-Are you aware of anything else in connection with this inquiry you think it is important we should know?

A.-No. I think I have given all the information I am possessed of. There is no doubt these vessels outside the harbour blockade this place, and I am satisfied in my own mind they capture vessels in our waters, but I do not know that we have ever proved a case against them, because it is a case of one man's story against another's.

50.-What is the penalty for leaving without a clearance?

A.-Confiscation of boat and cargo.

51.-Is the quantity of opium reported to you by junks reliable?

A.-I think it very

unreliable.

52.-It would be of no use for statistical purposes then?

A.-Not the least. The reports are not to be relied on. I could not give an ap- proximate estimate from their reports of the quantity of opium shipped from the Colony in native craft.

JOHN BLACK CAMERON is examined, and states :-I am a Police Inspector and Harbour Officer for the Kaulung District.

53.—How long have you been at Yaumáti?

A.-I went there in 1876, and remained there until March, 1881; was absent from March, 1881, until the 22nd December of the same year, and resumed duty on my return to the Colony.

54.-You made a report of an occurrence on the 14th January, with reference to a smuggling party that had been taking shelter in two huts within your districts?

A.-Yes.

55.-Will you state what was the nature of that occurrence?

A. On the morning of the 8th January last, about twelve o'clock, I received information that there were a large number of men who had arrived at two different huts in my district. One of the huts is in the village at Kunch'ung, near the Naval Coal sheds; the other is on Government ground between the two rifle ranges. I was told they had gone there with large quantities of arms. I went to the Kunch'ung hut first. I got there at 2.30 P.M.; Sergeant FISHER and Chinese Sergeant 250, and a party of Police went with me. In the north end of the hut I found five Chinese, who were sitting on the ground. I asked them several questions. On making search I found 10 muskets and 7 revolvers concealed in different parts of the hut, all capped and loaded. The revolvers were American, six chambered. All were effective weapons. There was also a large quantity of bullets and several boxes of cartridges and packages. of powder. The man who gave me the information is an ex-Chinese Constable. Underneath the bed was a large quantity of opium done up in packages and blue bags, 4 cakes of Malwa in each packet and a broken piece. In No. 2, or other hut already referred to, I found 14 men, 7 muskets, 3 revolvers, and 1 horse-pistol, all loaded and capped. I found cartridges and charges for the muskets in blue bags, and also carrying poles. The total amount of opium was 353 balls or packages. I questioned the men and on inquiry found the party had been 70 in number. The hut at Kunch'ung has a boundary stone near it. Only one man had a revolver on his person, which was taken from him at Kunch'ung.