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236.— What kind of opium is it you chiefly deal in, Indian opium or Persian?
A.-Patna, Benares, Malwa and Persian.
237. Can you inform the Commission what quantity of Persian opium is imported into Hongkong?
A. Recently I think about 6,000 chests per annum-6,000 to 8,000.
238.--It has been increasing lately, has it not?
A. Yes, from 2,000 originally to 6,000 or 8,000, but this year, up to now, the quantity received is only about 2,000 chests. This is due to the reported failure.of the crop in Persia.
239.-Could you inform the Commission as to what have been the rates levied on opium imported into China during the last 15 or 20 years, first, by the Foreign Customs when imported through the Foreign Inspectorate, and, secondly, when imported through the native branch of the Imperial Customs? Could you say what the aggregate amount of taxes is?
A. I think the aggregate has been increasing gradually-almost every year. If you go back 15 or 20 years it was not so much. The aggregate I think has doubled recently.
240.-Could you give us definite figures as to what the amounts have been, say from 1870 up to the present time?
A.-I should say from Tls. 50 up to Tls. 90 or Tls. 100 now on Indian opium.
241.-Whether Patna or Malwa, it makes no difference?
A.-I think not.
242.-There is a difference at present?
A. Because the chest of Bengal weighs about 120 catties and is more than a picul.
243.-Do the figures you have given include the Customs duty?
A. Yes, including the Customs duty. I think they calculate the duty on the picul, and take on the chest.
244.-Would you be able to furnish the Commission with a return showing what has been paid during the last 13 years say, on opium imported from Hongkong into China through the Foreign Inspectorate and through the native branch?
A.—I am afraid not; I have not kept statistics myself.
245.-Do you not think you could get it from the Compradore-a table showing the annual increase?
A. He might give us an idea, but I do not suppose he could give us a correct
statement.
246.-An approximate statement?
A.-Exactly.
247.-Have you any knowledge of what opium is sent from here to Macao and Manila, and to other parts other than the open Ports of China?
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