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270.-Can you state what the present tax is upon a chest of opium clearing through the Native Customs?
A.-No, I do not know.
271.-Can you tell whether there has been an increase of recent years in the taxes levied by the Chinese Customs on opium?
A.-No; I cannot say.
272.--Can you give us any information on the subject further than we have asked you-with regard to smuggling from this port?
A.-Well, only hearsay. We don't know what they smuggle; we only hear from Chinese. I suppose there is a certain amount of smuggling, but I cannot say exactly what amount.
JOHN SWANSTON,. Inspector of Police and Harbour Officer at Stanley is examined--
273.-How long have you been in the Police Force?
A.-Eleven years and six months.
274.--And during most of that time you have been at some of the out-stations? A.-I have been at out-stations since 1877, as Inspector. I was there as Constable
before.
275.-How long altogether?
A.-I should say between eight and nine years.
276. With reference to the so-called smuggling of opium, what is the largest quantity you have seen in a boat?
A. About 200 balls.
277.-What is the usual quantity smuggled?
A. Some have one ball, some two or three.
278.-What number of a crew do the boats carry ?
A.--It varies according to the piculage, but they generally carry a good crew for the size of the boat.
279.-What is the size of these boats?
A.-From 10 piculs up to two or three hundred, and sometimes higher.
20.-Do you remember in 1877 or 1878 boarding a large junk on which you found
a chest of Benares opium?
A-Yes; in 1877.
281. And what did you do about that?
A.-I brought the Master before the Harbour Master.
282.-What was done?
A.-He was discharged.
283.-What did you charge him with?
A.-Not giving a correct account of the cargo he had on board.
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