Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 586

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That the cost of such a bridge would be considerable is undoubted, but any reasonable expend- iture would be justified in a cause such as I have alluded to. Besides which, the bridge can be made remunerative by the imposition of a toll.

Not less than 6,000,000 passengers annually pass between Hongkong and Kowloon (3,000,000- each way) this number would probably be increased by one-half if a bridge existed.

Nine million (9,000,000) passengers at an average toll of 1 cent would be a substantial return on the money laid out, and this the direct return only, the indirect return, in the form of rates, &c., would probably be even greater, while the advantage to be gained in being able to carry telegraph cables, &c., across the bridge instead of in their present rather precarious position and the possibility of using the bridge as an aqueduct for a supply of water to Hongkong from the Kowloon range cannot altogether be overlooked.

IMPORT AND EXPORT (OPIUM) OFFICE.

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

1900. Chests.

1901:- Chests.

Increase. Decrease. Chests. Chests.

Imported,

43,256

42,314

912

Exported,

38,721

40,269

1,548

Through Cargo reported

but not landed,

17,557

12,150

5,407

Fourteen thousand three hundred and twenty-five (14,325) permits were issued from this Office during the year, being a decrease of 319 as compared with 1900.

A daily memo. of exports to Chinese ports was during the year supplied to the Commissioner of Imperial Maritime Customs, and a daily memo. of exports to Macao was supplied to the Superintend- ent of Raw Opium Department of Macao.

Surprise visits were paid to 76 godowns during the

year.

I have the honour to be,

The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary,

&c.,

&c.

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Ret. Com., R.N.,

Harbour Master, &c.