Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 121

( 32 )

171.-Were you also acting as Inspector under the Harbour Department a portion of that time?

A.-Yes.

172.-Were you at Aberdeen from 1874 to January, 1876?

A.-Yes; and from August, 1877 to February, 1879, at Stanley.

173. During that time have you ever had occasion to report anything in connection with smuggling-either opium or salt?

A.No.

174. And you were Harbour Officer while you were at these out-stations?

A. Yes.

175. Do you know anything about the smuggling of saltpetre?

76-82.

A.-In November last year there was a case in which men were charged with the pest unlawful possession of 160 bags of saltpetre. It was taken out of a boat by Revenue Cruisers-the boat people said off Lápsápwán. That case was tried at the Supreme Court in January.

176.—Have you ever seen any contests or fights in Chinese waters between Revenue Cruisers and junks?

sea.

A.--No.

177. Have you seen seizures by Revenue Cruisers in the waters of the Colony? A.-No. I have only seen junks towed by Cruisers across Stanley Bay, out at

I believed they were in custody. They were out of Hongkong waters.

178. Have you seen any firing going on between vessels inside the waters?

A.—I have not seen any; I have heard of it, off Cape d'Aguilar, when I was at Stanley. I have not seen it myself nor heard the firing.

179.-Is there any other information you can give which will throw any light on the smuggling of opium, salt, or other goods from the Colony into China?

A.-No. I know there is smuggling going on. About once a month 50 men leave this Colony for Kaulung. Acting Sergeant KEMP reported a case about a month ago. They leave Hillier Street or Bonham Strand.

180.-How long is it since this smuggling of quantities of opium over the Kaulung hills commenced?

A.-I have not been doing duty in the Central District for long, but since I have been here that is the only case I have heard of.

181. Is it more than a year since you heard of it?

A: Yes.

182. In quantities?

A. Yes-each man taking two or three balls, and every other man a musket, and leaving here between nine and ten o'clock at night. It is fourteen months since I returned from leave, and I have known of this going on during the whole of that time.

Į