Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 185

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SIR,

Armed bands crossing into China with Opium to escape the Chinese Customs.

SHAU-KI WAN POLICE STATION,

22nd September, 1882.

I have the honour to forward you the following report for your information. About 9.30 a.m. yesterday three small boats, unlicenced, 32, 36 and 38 piculs capacity respectively came into Shaukiwán Harbour with 2,066 balls of opium, value $12,200, on board, also a number of men mostly armed, who were engaged to smuggle the opium into Chinese territory. I detained the owners of the boats and opium pending instructions from you, but there being no Police case against them they were allowed to go by your order.

From enquiries made by me I find that the three boats in question were engaged to carry the opium from Victoria to Sháukiwán from thence to Ch'akwoling near Liümún Pass.

The boats and 150 men came to Sháukiwán on the 20th instant, and crossed over in small boats to Chakwoling on the morning of the 21st instant, they had not gone far from Ch'akwoling when they encountered about 50 men belonging to the Chinese Customs, several shots were exchanged, one of the Custom house men was killed and two wounded, the smugglers ran back to Ch'akwoling where they put the opium in the boats, and several of them crossed over to Sháukiwán and engaged a steam launch to bring the remainder. I am informed that this system of smuggling goes on regularly three, four and sometimes as often as six times a month, the places they land the opium at are Chun Wan, Chung Sha Wan, Shamshuipò, Ngan Tau Kok, Malautung, and Sha Tin.

The smugglers are always about 100 strong and are armed; each man receives $1 for every ball of opium he carries to Támshui; if they have an encounter with the Custom house men and escape they receive $2 per ball; when they meet the Custom House men 40 of them take the opium away leaving 60 to fight the Custom Officers.

I have the honour to be,

W. M. DEANE, Esq.,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

A. MACKIE

Inspector.

SIR,

POLICE HULK, 22nd September, 1882.

1. I have the honour to report that in accordance with instructions received 21st instant, I visited Sháukiwán Police Station.

2. And there together with Inspector MACKIE investigated a case of smuggling of crude opium against the occupants of three boats.

3. I find the three boats in question are the ordinary (Hakka) fishing boats such as used in this harbour and that of Kaulung, Shamshuipò, &c.

4. There is not the slightest doubt but that the said boats were engaged for the purpose of smug- gling which is not in the least denied by the crew or others of the boats.

5. These boats left the harbour of Victoria at about 4 P.M. 20th instant for Shaukiwán, at which place they anchored for the night, leaving at 6.30 A.M. the following morning 21st for Ch'akwoling, near which place they were accosted by the Chinese Customs Officials, when they made a hasty retreat for Shaukiwán harbour for safety.