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men on board this cruiser, Petitioners produced their Salt certificates, but they said the certificates could not be passed, and forcibly robbed Petitioners of more than ten piculs of fish,* all the fish they had on board their junks. Petitioners dared not offer any resistance, and allowed them to take away the fish. Immediately afterwards, Petitioners returned to Hongkong, and went and asked the Yan-wo Tong Salt Farm No. 167, Praya West, why their Salt certificates were not passed, and why the men on board the said cruiser robbed them of their fish. The sellers of Salt certificates said that the cruiser belonged to them, but they must find out what quantity of fish had been taken before they could settle the matter. They neither gave a definite answer nor undertook to recover the same for Petitioners at once. Having bought Salt certificates with which they proceed to sea to catch fish, Petitioners consider that all cruisers · belonging to the Salt Farm should allow them to pass after the certificates have been produced and examined. Why should the men on board the said cruiser, in the present case, refuse to pass their certificates and rob them of their fish? Petitioners feel aggrieved at this, and therefore implore Your Honour to issue a warrant for the arrest of the Yan-wo T'ong, and recover the fish for them.

(Paper attached).

CHÁN TSOI-LI'S Salt certificates having been seized by cruiser No. 1, it is necessary to wait till the return of the said cruiser, (to the Colony) when the things (taken from him) will be returned.

Dated 16th day, 3rd moon, 9th year of Kwong Sü (22nd April, 1883).

* Nearly 12 cwt.

Seal

of

Pün Kün San On

Salt Farm.

The Registrar General to Colonial Secretary.

(Copy.)

No. 30.

SIR,

REGISTRAR GENERAL'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 9th May, 1883.

In continuation of my letter No. 22 of the 16th ultimo, (C.S.O. No. 1052.) I have the honour to enclose statements made to me by Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

and

Inspector CAMERON regarding the Branch Office of the Chinese Salt Farm in this Colony, that goes by the name of the Yan-wo T'ong, at No. 167, Praya West.

These statements, together with the Licence which was obtained by CHEUNG, clearly prove the existence of the establishment and the nature of its operations.

The information now obtained may be of use to the Commission on Smuggling.

The Honourable W. H. MARSH, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary.

I have, &c.,

(Signed)

FREDERICK STEWART,

Registrar General,