Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 138

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382.--But not all salt that is brought into Hongkong is smuggled. It has paid its duties in the North. There are plenty of honest traders come to Hongkong?

A.-Yes, some do.

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383.-Then there are junks that go outside and sail round by Stanley and go up by the Kapshuimún, and never touch Hongkong at all. A great deal of the salt goes that way?

A. Yes; they go by the West Coast.

384.--Junks come down from the North and pass Hongkong and don't come here

at all?

A--Yes, very often.

WILLIAM QUINCEY, Inspector of Police, states:-I am an Inspector of Police. I do not know much about smuggling in the Colony. All I know is from hearsay. I know nothing about the signing of contracts to smuggle salt. I never even heard of it.

385.-Do you know anything of your own knowledge about the smuggling of either opium, salt, or saltpetre from the Colony?

A.-Very little by personal knowledge.

386.-Do you know anything about any houses in Victoria in which contracts to smuggle salt are regularly made between the owners of the cargo and the "blockade "

runners?

A.-Yes; both in Victoria and in Yaumáti.

387.-Do you know anything about contracts to smuggle salt?

A. From hearsay.

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388.--Do you remember making this statement to Mr. LOCKHART, the Secretary of the Commission, on the 24th April. "I know nothing about the signing of contracts to smuggle salt. I never heard of it." Is that correct?

A. Yes, that is correct.

389.--You state then you know nothing about the signing of contracts to smuggle salt. How do you explain your answer now with what you said before?

A.-Well, I heard people saying there are such houses in Victoria and at Yaumáti but I cannot prove it, unless I go and make personal inquiries.

390.-No; but how do you explain your statement with this. "I know nothing about it; I never even heard of it?" Can you explain it?

A.-I made a mistake perhaps.

391.--Which is the mistake?

A.-That statement. I did hear that there were such houses in existence.

392.---Who told you?

A.--Some Chinese.

393.-Do you know anything else about smuggling, Mr. QUINCEY?

A.-Well, I know there are capitalists in the Colony, who let opium out to different smugglers on board the Canton steamers and other coasting steamers. They hire coolies and smuggle it on board; afterwards they give it to the different employés on board.