Sessional_Paper_1894 — Page 154

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On the 31st December, 1893, there remained as under :-

No. of Cases, &c.

Approximate Weight.

ibs.

Gunpowder, privately owned,

Do., Government owned,

3,377

69,777

Cartridges, privately owned,..

163

32,560

Do., Government owned,............

72

5,958

Explosive Compounds, privately owned.......

185

10,816

Do.,

Government owned,

28

1,759

Total,........

3,825

120,870

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS (OPIUM) OFFICE:

33. The Return shows that during the year the amount of Opium reported was as follows:-

Imported,

Exported,

1892.

1898.

.56,864

39,098

..52,625

43,549

Decrease. 17,766 chests.

9,0761

16,608 4,536

""

Through cargo reported } 21,144

but not landed,

The general decrease is, I am informed, greatly owing to short crops both in the Bengal and Persian Opium; with regard to Malwa the adverse exchange between India and China, caused by the closing of the Indian Mints, has affected it considerably, the enhanced price rendering it now less able to compete with the native drug in the North.

21,738 permits were issued from this Office, being a decrease of 1,025 as compared with 1892. A daily Memo. of Exports to Chinese Ports was during the year supplied to the Commissioner of Imperial Maritime Customs at Kowloon.

Surprise visits were paid to 97 Godowns during the year.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable G. T. M. OBRIEN, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary,

&c.,

R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Retd. Comd., R.N., Harbour Master, &c.