Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 141

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416.-Have there been frequent cases of seizure made?

A.-Very seldom.

417.-Do Custom House Officers travel frequently by the steamers?

A.--Very frequently.

418. And how is the opium generally concealed?

A.-In all sorts of

ways on board.

419.--And the crew are supposed to be privy to it?

A.-Yes.

420. Have you had any correspondence with the Commissioner of Customs?

A.-I have.

421-What is the object of the Company in putting down smuggling so energeti-

cally?

A. It is in the first place to guard the interests of the Company against any stringent measures the Chinese authorities might take.

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422. That is, if smuggling was carried on to any large extent, the Commissioner would refuse the facilities granted at present for entering the port?

A. Yes.

423.--And the Company has issued stringent orders to its officers to put it down?

A. Yes.

424.-Will you tell us what the regulations are?

A. Any one convicted of smuggling is to be dismissed from the service. There are the reports we receive from time to time from the Commissioner of Customs of things being found (Produces forms of notice by the Commissioner of Customs at Canton to the steamers' agents at Canton, reporting the seizure of goods in which the servants of See post the Company appear to have been implicated).

425.-You say the crew are engaged in it. Have you had instances?

A. We have.

426. The Chinese crew?

A. Yes.

427. Followed by dismissal?

A.-Followed by dismissal, when convicted.

428. How long have you been Secretary to the Company?

A. Since 1875.

429. And you were in the office of the General Agents, HEARD & Co., before?

A. Yes; I have been connected with the Company since 1867.

430. Has it always been the case that the Company has given stringent orders against smuggling by any of the employés?

A.-Yes; they have been made more and more stringent from time to time.

431.-And that every facility has been given to the Officers of the Customs Preven- tive Service to search.

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