Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 97

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Q.-You say the small junks chiefly carry opium. How are they specially fitted?

A.-"Fitted out" is a wrong term. The words should be "chiefly employed in carrying."

Q. Do you know that passes are granted by the Chinese Government.

passes or if

A.

was not aware of such, nor do I know if these boats have such they pay duty. In fact I cannot say whether the opium is smuggled or not.

When I used in my statement the term smuggling, I should have said that large and small snake boats carry opium from the Colony, but, whether it pays duty to the Chinese Customs, I do not know.

About 12 years ago when I was stationed at Stone Cutters' Island, I heard of fights with salt junks outside, and used to hear fighting going on outside almost every night.

Munitions of war are shipped as cargo. I do not know whom they are shipped for ; whether for the Government or private individuals.

(Note. From the manner in which this witness gave his evidence, the Commission could place little reliance on it.)

FOURTH MEETING,

25th January, 1883.

Present:--Honourable J. RUSSELL, Colonial Treasurer.

F. B. JOHNSON, M.L.C.

Mr. J. H. STEWART-LOCKHART, (Secretary).

Mr. J. J. COLLAço is examined on the following statement, made before the Secre- tary on the 23rd instant :—

I have been Inspector of Junks since the beginning of 1869. All I know of opium leaving the harbour is this, that I sometimes find opium on board junks, and if it is not in their clearance papers, I take them to the office to have it filled in. I have never seen any such thing as a fight in the harbour, nor in Hongkong waters. In fact I do not know anything about smuggling from Hongkong.

TO THE COMMISSION.

I have never seen or heard of fights within the waters of the Colony between opium junks, salt junks, and Revenue Cruisers, nor seen any without the waters of the Colony.

Mr. T. M. LEATHERBARROW is examined on the following statement, made to the Secretary on the 23rd instant :-

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I am Second Boarding Officer in the Harbour Department. I was stationed at Stone Cutters' Island for a year or two. During the whole of that time I never saw' fighting between junks of any kind. I know nothing about smuggling from the Colony.