( 3 )
Q.-Is there a record of the armament of those with anchorage passes?
A.-Every Chinese vessel that gets an anchorage pass, gets a clearance, and every vessel which clears, reports her armament, except those specially licensed, and those that are specially licensed have their armament recorded, if they have any.
Q.--How long can vessels remain in the waters of the Colony without getting an anchorage pass?
A.-Except in the case of vessels having special licences, 18 hours.
Q. -Referring to Ordinance 2 of 1868, rendered permanent by 2 of 1870, relative to the disarmament of junks, were the provisions of that Ordinance ever carried out?
A.-Never. Regulations were issued under it, which were not acted on. This Ordinance has never been repealed. We interfere with the armament of junks so far as regards stinkpots, which are not allowed to be carried.
Q.-Can you furnish a return from 1866 to 1877 similar to that already furnished from 1877 to 1882?
A.-I will furnish a return from 1866 to 1877 similar to that already furnished S from 1877 to 1882.
Q.-Do all junks require to declare their cargoes?
A. Yes, (v. Ordinance 8 of 1879, section 38, sub-section 10).
Q.-Would they declare opium and salt ?
A.They do not declare the truth for fear of spies of the Customs being near at hand.
Q. Are clearances granted to vessels with salt on board?
A.-This is a free port. We will clear ships with anything.
Q. Are not all Chinese sea-going vessels armed for the purpose of protecting themselves against pirates?
A.-As a general rule all Chinese sea-going vessels are armed for the purpose of protecting themselves against pirates.
Lau Muk-Shang, introduced by Inspector CAMERON as one of a smuggling gang is examined and states:-I am an opium dealer. I live at Shiuliki, Sheungwán. I have been in Hongkong since the 4th day of the 12th moon (12th January, 1883). I am from P'ingshán. I came to Hongkong to take opium to the mainland. I am merely a runner. I have been four or five runs. Sixty or seventy of us go in a body. I carried 5 balls of Bengal opium and two cakes of Malwa on my last trip. I left Hongkong on the 13th, after sunset, and went to Yaumáti, and thence to Ts'op'áitsai. There were 60 or 70 of us: we got there about 11 P.M. I do not know how many officers met us. They tried to take away the opium from us, but did not succeed. I had a pistol with me loaded, with five chambers. The persons with me had some muskets, others pistols. I was 3 or 4 li (one mile) within Chinese territory. We
page 92.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.