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101.-Do you remember a case of some of these so-called Customs spies being brought up for robbery in 1876?
A.-I do. The case occurred off Green Island. Two of them were sentenced to six years' penal servitude and to be twice publicly flogged. Another prisoner was sentenced to three years' penal servitude, and four others were discharged. (The sen- tences were not carried out as the men were acting under the orders of a mandarin),
102.-Have you any knowledge of what these men are paid for running this opium safely to its destination?
A.-I have no idea except from what the men have told me themselves. $2 I think is the amount they have told me they clear on each ball.
103.--Have you known of cases of smugglers attempting to get over the hills being turned back, besides the one you have given in that report of the men you found in the huts?
A.-I have.
104.-Can you give other instances besides that one occurring in January?
A.-I have known of men coming back with 38 and 15 balls of opium. I think that was in 1878. The next case was in April last, in which there were 11 balls.
105.-Have you ever heard of these people being wounded?
A.-No.
106.-Have you heard of any fighting?
A.-No.
107.-Why do they turn back?
A. As a rule they have their spies ahead of them, who return and give them the information that the Chinese soldiers are on guard waiting for them; if that is so, then they come back to prevent the soldiers seizing the opium.
108.-Have you known of small boats taking opium from Yaumáti?
A. Yes.
109.- -How many cases do you
know of?
A.-I could not exactly give you the number; I know of several.
I know of several. There are two particular men in Yaumáti, who make a living by it. That man who was robbed off "Green Island is one, and the man whose boat was seized with 90 balls is the other. They make a regular trade of running a small boat with opium, hugging the shore all the way going up the river.
110.-Are these the only two men?
A.-Those two do it regularly. There may be others.
111.-Where do they run the opium?
A.-I have never questioned them.
112.-They cannot go to Canton in small boats.
A.-The man who was robbed off Green Island was going to Ch'éungchau.
113.-But there is a Customs Station there.
A.-That is on the North side; he was going to land on the South East side.
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