Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 125

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215.-What was the occasion of your boarding these boats?

A. Sometimes I have had information there were suspicious characters on board; sometimes I have gone and asked for the anchorage pass. They would show me their papers, and I would like to see if they had the things as they stated.

216.-In the course of these investigations have you found opium on board sampans at night, and saltpetre, and so on?

A.-I have seen opium on board junks, and I have seen it put on board.

217.-Did they tell you what they were doing with it?

A. Yes; on one occasion at Whitfeild they told me they were going to smuggle it. They had three or four bags.

218.-It was always at night they took it?

A. Yes. I followed them from Jardine's steps and saw them take the opium to this junk.

219.-What size were these boats generally that took the opium?

A.-Ordinary sized fishing boats, 100 piculs or more.

220.-Do you know anything about salt junks?

A.-I have seen salt on board junks sometimes, but I have not had much to do with salt junks.

221.-Have you

noticed how they were armed?

A. I have noticed them armed more heavily than other junks.

222.-What is the largest crew you have seen?

A.-I have seen 25 or 36 men.

223.--And what quantity of arms?

A.-Some have more and some less. I have seen some with cannon on board and some with rifles.

224.-Have not most junks that go to sea cannon?

A. Some of these ordinary fishing boats that do smuggling have not cannon. Most of the large sea-going junks have cannon, muskets, and ammunition.

225.-Whether they smuggle or not, do not all traders carry arms for their own

protection?

A. Yes, most of them--I cannot speak as to cannon, but I have seen cannon on many junks; but on the ordinary fishing boats that I have been told have been doing smuggling-I have.not seen cannon on them; I have seen other arms.

226.--Do you consider these are selected men that are in the opium and salt smug gling junks?

A.-I think as a rule the crews are not specially chosen; they may be in some cases. You could not distinguish the crews of the junks that smuggle from the crew of any ordinary junk by physique, though they are generally more numerous in the salt junks, but not in other boats that smuggle opium.