Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 124

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207.-In June and July?

A. Yes.

208.-Did anything occur with reference to the seizure of a junk in British waters?

A. Yes.

209.-What was it?

A.-One morning two men, who represented that they came from the Fatt'auchau Customs Station, came to the Station and reported that à junk which had been taking opium out had run ashore near Cape Collinson and landed the opium, and that they could not touch her as she was in English waters; afterwards she had gone into Chinese waters and they had seized her; and they wished to report the matter. I asked one of the two men if he had seized her in Chinese waters, and he said yes, but that there might be trouble about it. I sent out to see where the junk was, and she was right in the Bay opposite Sháukiwán village on the Chinese side. I asked him if he had any objection to go with me to see what the people on the junk had to say. He said he had none whatever. I got the Harbour boat and went out with him to where the junk was. While I was going out they got up anchor and tried to sail out through the Pass again. In beating out she had to come across into English waters towards Sháukiwán. I boarded her there. The master said they had seized his junk and were taking him to the Customs Station. I said he was in English waters and he had better steer for Sháukiwán. He did so, and I arrested four men belonging to the Customs Station. From what I was told the junk had been seized alongside the land on the English side in the Liümún Pass. They said they were keeping her off the land with bamboos. I brought these four men in here and the master of the junk. The men I charged with being in possession of this junk in English waters. The case was heard by Captain THOMSETT and he discharged them.

210. Was there opium on board?

A.-There was no opinm then. The Master of the junk said he took on board a quantity of opium in Tanglungchau, that is Causeway Bay, the evening before, about four o'clock, and he sailed out to pass the Customs Station, intending to land it after- wards, but he ran it ashore and the men had carried it back overland. I charged the Master of the junk for leaving without giving notice, and he was fined $25.

211. Do you know anything else with regard to the smuggling of goods into China? A.-No; I cannot say I do.

JOHN BUTLIN, Sergeant of Police, examined-

212.-How long have you been in the Police Force?

A.-About eight years.

213.-Have you been chiefly at the out-stations-Yaumáti, Hunghòm, and

Whitfeild?

A. Yes.

214. Has it been part of your duty to board boats in the Harbour?

A. Yes; on certain occasions.