( 69 )
Statement handed in by Mr. Ng, as to Salt tax in China.
(1.) The weight of each bag of Salt imported to Canton is 220 catties, the duty charged per bag is 12 mace. (2.) The price of salt imported from Quinhon, Saigon, Poon-Chit and Mun-Tong to Hongkong is 350 to 400 catties per dollar, and that imported from Tin-pak, Kammún and Shanmi to Hongkong is about 300 catties per dollar.
(3.) The total quantity of salt imported from the above-mentioned places in a year is estimated at about
2 millions piculs.
(4.) All godowns for storing Salt are at Yaumáti, and it is sold to Hongkong Customers at 260 catties
per dollar.
(5.) It is sold at Canton at about $1.20 for 100 catties.
(6.) The market price now sold at Hongkong is considered as very moderate.
28th August, 1883.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A SALT DEPÔT IN THE CENTRE OF THE COLONY FOR ISSUING LICENCES AND COLLECTING DUES FROM HONGKONG FISHERMEN, SEIZURE OF FISH BY TWO CRUISERS OF A SALT FARMER, THE FISH BROUGHT BY THE CRUISERS TO THE COLONY.
The Registrar Genèral to Colonial Secretary,
No. 22.
SIR,
REGISTRAR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 26th April, 1883.
I have the honour to forward a Petition from two fishermen of Sháukiwán, Masters of Licensed Fishing Junks, Nos. and who complain of having had their fish taken from them by a Cruiser in the employ of the Yanwot'ong, No. 167, Praya West.
From information given me yesterday by the Master of a Fish Lán who has been 43 years in this Colony, I gather that, before and since Hongkong was a British Colony, all junks engaged in the salt- fish trade here have had to take out Permits from the Salt Farmer, who obtains his monopoly from the Salt Commissioner of the Two Kwang. Formerly, these Permits were issued at Nam Tau, and at a branch establishment on the neighbouring island of Ch'éungchau. At the Chinese New Year this Ch'éungchiau branch was removed to No. 167, Praya West, where, under the designation of the Yanwot ong, it issues Permits to Hongkong Licensed Junks to salt fish on the high seas.
The price paid for the Permits varies with the quantity of salt to be used by the fishermen. I enclose a fac-simile (seals excepted) of the Permit issued to Petitioner-
who had to pay $2.75 for it. When he used to get his annual Permit at Ch'éungchau he had to pay but $2 for it. I am unable to enclose the original, because the poor man cannot earn his living without it; but I had it in my possession for some hours, and I certify that the enclosed is, as already stated, an exact copy.
I am not aware whether the Yanwot'ong have heard of Petitioner being at this Office; but, yesterday, they made, I am told, an offer to restore the fish. When Petitioners went for their property, it was refused under the pretext that the Master had gone to Canton. This morning, however, the offer was renewed, accompanied with a promise of compensation for deterioration, the fish having been placed in the Yanwot'ong before they were properly cured.
Supposing then that my information is correct, and I see no reason to doubt it, the state of things is simply this, that every fishing junk belonging to the Colony has to take out a Permit from the Chinese Government to salt the fish it takes on the high seas, and this Permit has to be obtained at a Chinese Revenue Office on the Praya in Hongkong.
!
The Honourable W. H. MARSH, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
se.
Fe..
sc.
(Signed)
FREDERICK STEWART, Registrar General.
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