1908-06-20 — Page 14

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The Opium Question.

RESULT OF DIVANS ABOLITION.

EXAGGERATED: FALLACIES EXPLODED.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY JUNE

Til riz por diem, it results that there are 1,994:530 opium'smokers in Szuch'uno, 18, 44 per cent of the whole population,

If it she that 7 per cent of the whole population imoke opium, then, as to oco consume dally 398,904 taals of opium, the low that each opium smoker will coonume Among the papers presented to the Legisla estimated by Sir J. Jordan in bis 6 per diem, &, about one fourth

·tiva" Council. Iasi Thursday, afternoon in the following illuminating report by the Assistant native, that 211,cg taels more than the amount dick of 14th August, 1907, or in the alter Colonial Secretary-

estimated by Sir J. Jordan are consomed in PRANË AS RECENT EXAGGERATIONS.

Setch'uan daily.

|

(3.) PERCENTAGE OF OPIUM SMOKERS IN HONGKONG.

+

Here we no longer deal with estimates, but Census returns of 1956 the Chinese population with accurate figures. According to the of the Colony was as follows :— Maler over 15 years Total males

Females over 15 years...... Toil females

nesemployed on the railway tunnel at Kowal loon (046) being coolies), fay ampice opium that there are Go Ticensed chairs, in the Hill District, carried by too men, sour of whom smoke opium that there are 624 licensed chairs in Victoria, carried by 1,248 men, of whom 3 smoke opium that there are 7,723 licensed driven by 1,450 men, of whom 74 smoke Jinrickshaws in Victoria and Quarry Bay,

shows in Kowloos, driven by 250 men of opium and that there are licensed jinrick whom 24 smoke opium,

is more probably eight-fold, the quantity of be present import of fomiga oplum. For the weight of foreige oplam imported Mr. Moria gives no statistics more recent than 1995, for which year he gives, on page 343, the following figures

"Picuis

Opium reported to Imperial Maritime e

Customs diseas timately, but not reported to the Oplum imported sither by June 1920

Imperial Maritime Customer smuggled.

5,030

36,920

native opium was exported. Assuming there. Mr. Morse does not say what amount of

China, and that foreiga impart was in 1907 the fore, that the whole amount was consumed to same as in 1959, the total consumption of opium in China was 437,120-picule, which, although considerably higher than Sir 1. Jor dan's estimate, still falls 326,070 piculs short of the amount necessary to give a rate of 2% of opium smokers in the Empire, assuming the daily dose to be Tin 03.

APPENDIX D.

more are not allowed to levy any additional tax or fee without first referring to Paking

12-Viceroys and Gavemors are permitted to draw up special rules to enforce the law ac cording to local conditions →N, C. D. Neus

on

QANERA, Del Voetsc Road Centrál

Hongkong, cand May, 1908. SERBE NOW CHUK HING, LANENKY Sir, I have the honour to forward you here. with, on behalf of the owners and doempler of houros in the Immediate vicinity of NoY HONGKONG'S ECARE, MAS

Chuk Hing Lane, the enclosed letter address- The Calcutta Daily News says:-The news ed to you, together with two sketch, placa, seti from Hongkong, that the Chamber of Com ting out their view and objections as to the merce predict disaster to the Colony's prosper-proposed public latrine to be, erected ity if the opium dens are shut down, seems to

above site. reflect somewhat on the source of that pros. Ihall be glad if you will kindly submit the -perity. It seems an odd thing that the Chamber amo to His Excellency the Governor, for his of Commerce should take such a view. If the kind consideration.—I have, &c., Calcutta Chamber of Commerce ware to say

the Chamber know what they are talking about that the closing of the drink shops would be a dreadful calamity to the prosperity of the city, everyone would laugh. Of course, however, and probably they are protesting merely the impossibility of the whole thing, for a Gor ernment goaded by wild missionaries often against the hypocrisy of the whole thing and

bites off more than it can chew.

Alarid picture has frequently been drawn, especially in recent times, of the prevalence of opium smoking throughout China. For example, to quote, only from a number of Bishop Hoare of Hongkong has stated that the prifted papers which reached me by last mail, opium trade" increases the incalcalable misery of millions of our fellows and tends to a grievous deterioration of a noble race.". "The Rev. Dr. Griffith John asserts that "oplum is not only robbing the Chiness of millions of money, year “by year, but is actually_destroying them as a people. Mr. George Cadbury speaks of the opiam trade as" dempralising a heathen nation for the sake of revenue." The Rev. R. F. Hort's remarks that "we are all perfectly well aware that opium is the cause of unuttérable misery and destruction to the Chinese.". Fin ally M, Theodore C. Taylor, M.P., is good enough to say that "from the point of view of reform the blackest opium spots in Chios are the spots under British rule;” while the whole assumption underlying the speeches, made al a breakfast mesting at the Hotel Cecil, Lon. don, on the 28th of last February fully report. ed in the issue of National Righteousness," dated April, 1908), was that the Chinese, as a sation, were demoralized and ruined by their addiction to the babit of opium smoking.

No doubt, in justification of such an opinion it would be possible to refer to Article 2 of the Proposals in Ten Articles for carrying out the Opium Edict of the 10th September, 1000, which commences as follows—" The vice of opium smoking is of long standing, and it may to dross opium. divans, that an average divans at most 1,782 % of the total Chinèso po- | high estimates; and Hosie (1904), than whom Urinals and Latrinos" in next year's estimate,

of

APPLICATION OF FIGURES TO LIVING These figures speak for themselves, and bey go far to show that the outcry, which has betu raised as to the prevalence of the opium, babit fact, and add one more proof of the platitude among Chinese, has really so justification, in that on the subject of opium smoking there .....195,541

is more loans thinking and loose writing **2241334 both among Chinese and Europeans, that

66,844

on almost any other of the curlous features 95 567 which Chinese civilization presents to Western Grand Toul (exclusive of New Terri- minds. It remains to apply the Sgures to

tories)

319,803 the spacial.question of the abolition of opium Total population of that part of the New divans in Dongkong, and in this connection it

Territories not included in the

is necessary to premise that the abolition of above figures, as estimated is goi,85,arz. divans will cost money, and to recapitulate Therefore, the grand total of the Chinese the facts that practically all smokers of dross population in the Colony and its New Terrioplum are slaves of the habit that the large tories was 319,803+85,511=494,814 and the majority of persons who smoke prepared opiam total number of males and femalen over 15 in divans are also slaves of the habit that after years of age in the Colony (excluding the New the abolition of divans the Opium Farmer will Teritories, for which figures are not available) continue; as heretofore, to possess the right of was 195;341+66,844=263,384

selling prepared add drossopium to the general NUMBER OF OPFUM SMOKERS IN HONGKONG public and that, even under existing conditions

Now the only person in the Colony and its Now Territories, from whom pregared opium consumption in the Colony outside divan

nu average monthly weight of 27,701,229 taels prepared' opium is sold. by the Farmer for and dross opium can be bought, the Opium it is not to be supposed that a half, probably Farmer; and, as the result of a detailed ex books in May, 1908, it was ascertained that viously smoked in divans will forego their not even a quarter, of the persons, who pre- amination of the Opium Farmer's account

during 14 months, commencing from the 1st

daily allowance of opium when the divan April, 1907, an average weight of 30.788:32 have been closed. Therefore, as i have shown taels of drous opium had been supplied month-

that the number of dross smokers is at most 1.785 %, and that of prepared opiam smokers in weight of 18,487,397 taels of prepared opium pulation, the number of parsons whom abolition be reckoned that addicted thereto." It, there had been supplied movie weight of of divans may cure of the opium habit is car the population are opium divans, and that an average of tainly less than a half, and probably not even fore, becomes desirable to consider what are 27.701.23 taels of prepared opium had been the real facts as to the prevalence of opium supplied monthly to castomers for consumption quarter, of 3.58 ", of the total Chinese po- smoking, and in ibis memorandum an endea ip the Colony and the New Territories outside that 1.791 and probably not even 0.895% pulation. In order, than, that certainly loss your is made to calculate the percentages of divans. Assuming, therefore, a month of 30.4 of the total Chinese population may perhaps opium smokers (1) in China as a whole, (2) in days, it follows that the average daily consump the province of Bach'uan where admittedly tion was (~):1,013.44 taels of dross opium 10

be delivered from the vice of opium smoking, opium smoking is heavier than in any other divans: (b) 607,937 taels of prepared opium in Opium Farmer and to divan keepers and in a tax, in payment of compensation to the part of China, and (3) in Hongkong..

divans:(0) 910,925 taels of prepared opium out- PERCENTAGE OF OPIUM SMOKERS IN CHINA side divans. And, assuming further that (a) asa maining 98.209° or 99:105% of the Chinese, loss of revenue, must be imposed, on the re-, dross smoker consumes 2 pots, weighing o.07 taels each, of dross opium per diem: and() of the Colony. Further than this, at least aud upon the whole 'non-Chinese population that a smoker of prepared opium consumes 27,232, and probably more than 10,848, divan pols, weighing 0.042 teels, of prepared opium habituds, whom the abolition of divans leaves per diem, (both these figures being taken as low unregenerate, will not, as hitherto, amike as possible in order that the percentages calio premises, where they are under the direct cufated may be the highest possible, though it

control of the Police and sanitary Department, is well known that confirmed opium smokers and those to whom the habit is deleterious con- choose, to the probable detriment of the good but will be fres to smoke in any place they aume far more) the following figures result:-

(1). The number of persons who smoke cross order and sanitation of the Colony, opium is 1,012.

7,2285

AS A WHOLK.

(1.) ir John Jordan, in the first paragraph of his general report on opium, dated in November, 1907, states that the population of China is generally estimated at four hundred millions:" (See appendix A.] Further on, in the same report he writes:- The amount of opium produced in China in 1906 has been estimated at 330, 00 piculs.......Of this total only 4,730 piculs are exported to "Foreign countries............. Foreign raw opium import. ed in the same year was as follows: –

Picule.

Malwa, kroana mos. 14,465. Patna, fi · ............ 25,486 | Benares, moito. 13:479 Other kinda...

Ladian, 53,430

799

Total............. 54,225 piculs. “Thai China may be said to have required for her own consumption in 1906 :—

Native opium Foreign opium...

.Picuis.

325,270 54,225

Total 379,495 (See appendix A.] "or $0.599,333-lbs. weight, or 22,588 tone, al which about one saventh comes from India. As opium is always retailed in taele, I may add that on picul equals 1,600 taels. There fore, 379,495 picals equal 607,192,000 tela.

PERCENTAGE IN CHINA AS A WHOLE. Now no person can be considered a con- firmed oplum smoker, unless he consumen about Tis. oz of prepared opiùm per diem. I have intentionally taken a very low figura,. in order that the resulting percentage-may- be the highest possible; but, as a matter of fact, Sir 1. Jordan, writing on the 14th August;: 1907, states that a smanker of Tis. 0.3 weight a day of Indian opium requires Tis. a4 of Chinese opium to produce the same effect," the assump. tion being that comfirmed oplum smoker will consume twice the weight which I have adopted for purpores of this calculation. Estimating, therefore, a total annual consump tion of 607,192,000 taels, the daily consump- tion will be 1,663,539 taels: and allowing Tis 0.2 for each smoker per diem,it result that there are 8,317,695" persons who moka opium in the Chinese Empire, Curiously enough those figures agree closely with the statement made by Sir J. Jordan in despatch to the Foreign Office, dated the 30th September, 1906, in which he writes, that the opium habit has gained a firm bold upon 8,000,000 of the.adult population of the Empire,' although at that date the British Minister al Poking could not as yet have been in posses. sion of the figures quoted in his report of. November, 1967...

#4

RESULT OF ABOLITION OF DIVANS IN HONGKONG, Therefore, to sum up, the abolition of opium'

in Hongkong means the :-

(ii) The number of persons who smoke predivans pared opium in divans is 67.937

-=-7,237.3. .084 (ii) The number of persons who smoke pre. pared opium outside divaos is 910,925 ·

10,844.3 084 (iv) The total number of opium smokers is, therefore, 25,310.4.'*

I may add that drosa opium is sold by the Opium Farmer to divans only, and not to the general public, and that it is, therefore, im possible to differentiate between persons who smoke drost opium ihside and outside divans.

· PERCENTAGES IN HONGKONG. The following percentages result from these data-

(L) Percentage of opium smokers in the total Chinese population (including the New Territories;-

(a) dress smokers 1,785 %.

(b) prepared opium smokers in divaos.

-7.787-%

(c) prepared opium smokers outside

divana 2.678 %..

The total ratio is, therefore, 6 25%.

Public Works Department,

Honourable the Principal Civil Medical Officer

Hongkong, 26th November, 1966.

with reference to a proposed latrine in No. 4 Sir, I have to forward a minute from the

Lans is valued by Mr Perkins at $4,842 and Health District. The house in Chuk Hing the three in Tung Tak Lane at $14,911..... lang ba resumed at a cost pot exceeding say I 'ggest that the house in the first named $3,000 which could be paid from the vote for

ourable the Principal Civil Medical Officer. but the matter should be referred to the Hop-

A PUBLIC CONPHNIENCE, The official Chinese census of 1992 given the population of Ssuch'uan as 68,714,800. This figure is accepted by Mr. Broomhali (p. 225 of

OBJECTIONS BY HOUSE OWNERS. his book above quoted); and Mr. Kennelly (p

At the meeting of the Legislative Council os of his book above quoted ives 68,724, Boost Thursday, the following correspondence as the population. It may, therefore, be said relating to the proposed erection of a Pub ic that the missionary bodies accept a consider. Latrine on the site now occupied by No. 1, ably higher figure then Sir J. Jordan: and, of Chuk Hing Lang, was laid on the table- course, at this figure, the percentage of

Moran (p. 323 of his book above quoted! ópium smokers will be considerably lower than that given by Sir A. Hone. Mr writes of the population of this province years have ranged from 31,000,000 (Hobson, The estimates made within the last twenty 1893) to 79,500,000 (Popoli, 1894); but the gen- erat tendency of investigators has been to put it between 50,000,000, and 65,000,000; Parker (1903) is inclined, however, to doubt all the few have studied the puts it at 45,000,000. This last, is the figure quoted by

e province more carefully,

that it is a conservative estimate.

J. Jordan and it will be seen

sumed in the province Mr. Mores (p. 349) With regard to the amount of opium con- says:-"The recognized authority for Sze chan to day is Mr. A. Hasie. In his consular Parliament, October, 1904, Cd. 2247) 25 report for 1903 (presented to both Houses of

states that the consumption of Szechwan- the result of a careful detailed calculation, he

is 182,500 piculs. If to this be added the proe grown opium by the inhabitants of Szechwan bable export eastward from the province, we have a probable production of not less than 250,000 picuis" It will be seen that Sir J. Jor. dan has accepted the figure 187,000 picuis, as. the amount consumed in the province, from Sir A. Hosie.

Mr. Morse (loc. cit.) says. No foreign opium has even been imported into Ssuch'uan.

REDUCTION OF FOPPY CULTIVATION. As a further illustration of the energy and eagerness of the Chinese Government for the abolition of the opium trade the following new rules for the reduction of the home-grown drug and other matters have been drawn up by the Ministry of Finance and passed by an Imperial Rescript dated the 25th ultimo.

havo, &c.,

W. CHATHAM, Director of Public Works.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary.

Hon, F. C..M. O.

To the Honourable F. H. May, CM.0,

Colonial Secretary, machen.

Hongkong, 21st May, 1908

occupiers of houses in the immediata vicidit

"RE NO. CHUE HING LANE MON Sir-We, the undersignedown

of the site now occupied by No. 1 Chuk Hing Lane, have the honour to request you to be good enough to lay before His Excellency The Governor, for his kind consideration, our views and objections as to the erection of a public latrice on the above mentioned site.

We hereby respectfully aubutii to His Ex- cellency the following reasons of our objections, namely

(1.) The above site is situată inɔa Darrow lane surrounded by the back of tall houses of 3. stories high. The stench, the obnoxious fies and other evils attendant on a public latrine, will particularly affect the kitchers of those immediately surrounding houses where human

rounding houses have, recently, in compliance, food is prepared.

FR (2.) The owners of these immediately gaur

opened mors window in these premises with the requirements of the Sanitary Board, directly facing the said site, with the object of letting in para and fresh air into these houses: but if a public latrine is erected, which would be directly opposite to their windows, they will

immediately surrounding Moreover, the have bad and vitisted air instead,

(3.) The bad smell will not only affect these

in neighbourhood.

is already one public latrían in Aberdeen Street, at the end of Gage Street; so that if a new one, is erected in Chuk Hing Lace there will be, practically two latrines in one street.

(4) The public latrine in Aberdeen Street, has always been a great nuisance to the neigh 1 fiad that there is a great need for a public houses near Chuk Hing Lane have already, on bourhoods and some of the tenants of the latrias in No. 4 Health District, but that an hearing of the proposed lattice, intimated their Available for its erection. I have visited the fortunately there is no vacant Crown land intention to quit their premises if one is to be.... following narrow lanes, namely Tao Wah Lane, house

erected. This will affect the interest of the Tung Tak Lant, Chele Hing Lane and Yim Exra Lane, Sze Kau Lane, Lok Hing Lane, depreciation in house properties. We beg to

owners, especially at the present"

Fung Lane with a view to finding a suitable

enclose herewith a sketch-plans marked No. site for resumption, and I am of the opinion show, the parrowness of the lage and the actual and No. 2 respectively, the first: of which lif that either Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Tung Tak Lane size of the site; and the second one will show bould be resumed and a latrine built on the the relative positions of the existing latrine a site of these hopes, or failing this that No Aberdeen Bireet and the p Chok Hing Laua should be resumed, for this рверове.

(sd.), FRANCIS CLARK,

M. O. H,

Hon. D. P. W.

Can this be arranged?

(Sd.), J. M. A. 13. 17, 06.

Colonial Secretary's Office, 3rd January, 1907. Sir-1am directed to state that it is pro- posed to resume No Chuk Hing Lane as a site for a public latrine, but before such re- sumption takes place and the site becomes Crown land, His Excellency the Officer Ad- ministering the Government would be glad to learn whether, on resumption being affected, the Sanitary Board would be prepared to proceed under section 107 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1993.—! 'bave, &c.,

T. SERCOMBE SMITH, Colonial Secretary.

(a.) that certainly not more than 7,132 and probably not even 3,616 persons (perhaps not even a single person), 'may give up opium smoking (b) That this result will be achieved at a

cost which would not have been grea.. 1.The Viceroys and Governors should, with- ter had all the habitués of divans, ie, in the period of six months, counting from the some 14,465 persons, given up opium date of sanction by Impeñal Rescript, furnish amoblog: (e) That this cost will fall mainly upon of lands under poppy cultivation in their re

a detailed report of the actual number of acres 93.75 per cent, of Chinese population,spective Provinces, together with the names of who do not smoke opium, and upon the owners and other particulars to the Minis- the whole non-Chinoid comantinity (d) That at least 7,132, and probably information and guidance.

tries of Finance and of the, Interior for their more than 10,848 confirmed opitin

2. The ten year time limit for the, suppres smokers will be debarred from smeksion of the opium trade in China, begins from ing in the divans, of which they are September, 1906. Thus all the lands which habituds, and will thus in large a measure be released from police and sanitary Provinces must be gradually cleared off for are now under poppy cultivation in the various supervision.

growing grain, wheat and other useful cereals within the next eight years, i e., up to the end of 1915, when the cultivation of opium will be. come a criminal act, The Provincial author. ities must keep the Central Government, in Peking informed of the progress of this reform: ments with Great Britain and other foreign meeting held on the 8th instant, with reference Power concerning the gradual reduction of tonection 167 of the Public Health and Build- importation of Indian and other foreign optomings Ordinance, 1903, to recommend that loto this country..

site now occupied by No. 1 Chuk Hing Lane, public latrine of forty seats be erected on the 1 have, &c,

G. A. Woodcock, Secretary. The courable T. Bercamba Smith,

C. CLEMENTI, Assistant Colonial Secretary

Hongkong, 13th June-1908. APPENDIX-A,

The latest Chinese official census of the

Gigures:---

The Secretary, Saultary Board.

Sanitary Department, Hongkong, roth January, 1907, Sir- bave the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your latter No. 9i19/06 C.SO. and

Chuk Hing Lane.

it

__DEW GRGʻAL

We'aarnestly hope that His Excellency will not, after considering the reason of our objec tions, allow the proposed public latrine to be erected on the above site,—We have, etc. -

F. F. TALATLU

Tenant of No. 41 Cochrane Street. WONG YUK LAM,---

Tenant of No. 1 Gage Street.

C. F. DE CARVALHO,MA

Agent, No. 11 Gage Street, To the Honourabia F. H. May, C.M,, And 12 Chinese sigastories. ij.

Colonial Secretary

FIRES IN ROBB.

(i) Percentage of opium smokers in the population, taken in 1902, gives the following China must adheré faithfully to har arrange-in reply to report that the Board.decided at the ablazo. Notwithmanding that the outbreak.

adult male and female Chinese po-

palation (excluding the New Terri tories):-

(a.) dross-smokers 2.754 .

(b) prepared rpium smokers in divans

2.758%

(e) prepared opium smokers ouside di-

vana.4.132%

The total ratio it, therefore, 9.644%---

(ii) Percentage of opium smakers in the Chinese male population over 15 years of age (excluding the New

• Territories):-

(a.) dross smokers 3696%

(b) prepared opium smokers in divaos

370%.

(c) prepared opium smokers, outside

divans 5-545%

The total ratio is, therefore, 12.947%.

DAILY DOSE OF EACH SMOKER.

Kwanglung Fukien Chekiang Klang...

Eighteen Provinces.

31,865,258

22,876,540

11,580,293

13,980,692

5. Shaolung

38,247,900

Chihli .....

20,937,000

Hupeh

35,280,685

Kiangsi

26,532,125

Auhwei

23,670,314

10

Hoans

35.316,8c0

HUDER

27,169,673

Kaniu.......... C

10.385,376

Shepsi...........

8,450,182

Shepsi........

12,205,456

15. Szechwan

68,724,890

YOOBGARY 12,324,574

Kweichow. 7,6,0,292 Kwangsi.......... 5,142,330

407,335,305

Dependencies.

Manchuria Mongolia

8,500,000 2,580,000

Tibet Chinese Turkestan

(Slokiang)

6,430,05%

1,200,000

18,710,000

3-Proper permita should be issued by the Provincial officials for the owners of lands un- der peppy cultivation at an annual fee of 15 caal or it ceats per mow. These permits must be renewed every year until 1919. No person will be allowed to grow native opium during the next eight years without such"per- mission.

4-Particulars of all opium shops must be in reported to the Central Government within the next six months with a view to their Ultimate extinction. No new opium shops will be per mitted to appear to any part of China during the next eight years.

4.

5.The opium shops are to be divided into Three kinds, vie:shang, chung,-hsia, or-upper, Assuming, thep, that the total population of the Empire is oo0,000,000 of whom 8,000,000

I desire again to state emphatically that these

middle and lower. Upper class shope must are opium imokers, the number of persons who that the true percentage is probably at least are. the highest possible percentages: and

have a capital of Tls. 10,000 or over, middle class between Tls. 5,000 and Tis. 10,000 and amoke opium in the Chinese Empire is only a per ceol. But I must point out that even this. far it is certain that prepared op'um and dross "one third lower than the figures above given,

lower class below Tis. 5,000. When applying percepinge is far too high: for 607,192,000 npium smokers as a rule consume much more

for permits, the owders must pay Tls, 6, 4 and 2 faels is the weight of raw opium before pre than .084 taels and 14 taels respectively per

respectively, as the annual fee, without other. charges. paration, whereas Tis. 0.2 is the weight of

6-During the course of the next eight prepared opium as consumed. Now the Gov. diem. In this connection the present Opium crament Analyst at Hongkong has receatly the following statements to me on the izth Farmer's, secretory, Ch'an K'ai-meng, made

years, the owners of such opium, shops must Grand Tutal.....426,045,305 | Bradually set up other businesses to that their reported that raw opium by preparátion loses instant, namely that all drošs. smokers are Marsball Broomhell, & editorial secretary of ram shops. must report the caudition of their confirmed.opium smokers, otherwise, as he the Chion Island Mission in The Chinese end of every mouth who will in return report **These figures are accepted as they stand by plum trade may be reduced year by year. The business to the focal Chinese authorities at the puts it, they would not smoke dress opium; Empire, A General and Missionary Survey (ppt in detail to the Central Government. The average 3 pots, fe, Tls. 0.21, of dross opiums), in his translation of L. Richard's Comto say person or persons who is, or are 201, in that a dross smoker consumes

2 and 43), published in 1907. M. Kennelly, shops are strictly prohibited from selling opium per diem that most habitus of prepared opium rakensira Geography of the Chinar Ampire, possession of permits...

are coormed opium smokers; that pre published in sool (pp. 5 and 8), gives the same. As oplom dens in Chinese territory have opium smokers fall into three groups: figures for dependencies, but puts the popola-already been closed, the Provincial authorities (a) coolles: of these there are only a few, tion of the Eighteen Provinces at 420,000,000, should lose no time in suppressing any shops

andthey would probably smoke z pots, It may, therefore, be said that both Pro- Le Tis 0.084. of prepared opiam and tastant and Roman Catholic missionaries a pot of drast opium in addition.

or stores which are engaged in selling or

sa per cent. of its weight therefore the amount of prepared opium actually con sumed will only be half the weight of the raw opium, the daily consumption of prepared opiam in China will be 831,769.5, tacts and the number of opium smokers falls to 4,158,847, or only about one per cest, of the total popular tion of the Chinese Empire, The conclusino pared of the matter is, therefore, this: that, suppos ing the consumption of opium in China to be twice as large as that estimated by Sir J. Jor- dag, or in other words making a most liberal, and even excursive, allowance for smuggling, and for such persons as may consuma less thao. Tis. o'z per diem, opium smokers are only 2 per cent, of the population. A

[ (2.) PERCENTAGE OF OPIUM SMOKERS.

IN SZUCH'YAN PROVINCE, ・

op the

5

ů.

Colonial Secretary, ¿

the Gardis of 1st, 8th and 15th May, 1958. Government Notification No. 313 published.

Sanitary Department,

No. 311.In accordance with Section 168 of Ordinancer of 1903, it is hereby notified that the Government proposes to erect a public. latrine on the site now occupied by No. 1 Chuk Hing-Lanc

མ

If any owner or occupier of property in the immediate vicinity of such site objects to such erection, such objection must be seat in wait ing to the Colonial Secretary so as to reach bis office no later than Friday, the 22nd May, 1998. Such objection must state, the reasons and ship or occupation of which such objection is specify the properly with regard to the owner made and the interest therein of the objector.

J. M. ATKINSON, Principal Civil Medical Officer,

· 30th April, 1908.

À FIERCE BLAZE IN SANNOMIYA, Early yesterday morning (Jane) the fire balls rang out for a fire in Sannomiya-cho, Opinions "differ as to where the firm actually started, some of those who were earliest oh the scana stating that it broke out in the shop of a tatami dealer facing the Sannomiya road and others assorting that it had its origin in a house occupied by a stone-maton in the rear. Wherever it-originated the fire spread with as- tonishing rapidity, and before the fire brigades were on the scene two or three houses were took place se near a wide road; and that there of the firemen were at arat quite inoperative WAS CLLY. #ccess to the premises, the effects

house after another caught alight, and while":" to check the progress of the fame OnB the firemen were busy trying to cope with the flames extending to the north, a godown on the south side of the land running alongside the houses where the outbreak occurred suddenly burst into flame and burned furiously. It ap pears that a window had been left open when the godowa was closed for the night, and some sparks must have blown in at the beginning of the fire from the houses on the other side of the lane, and set light to quantity of timber for furniture, &c., which was stored there for only 'a minute or two after it was discovered that the godown was on fire, the building was wrapped in a sheet of fame. About: this time it looked as if the whole of the block, including the wide an area seemed to be covered by the Sannomiya temple, would be destroyed, "sa" burning buildings, the glare lighting the Settle striking relief the great building of the Oriental ment as if it were daylight and bringing into Hotel. The firemen had at last to 'confine ed, and after a severe struggle, they at fast! themselves to saving the houses not yet attack succeeded in doing.

In about an hour and a half the flames were under control, and in two hours there was only mass of smoking debris to be scop where the space bad previously been occtipied by about a dozen buildings of decent proportions, includ ing the godown already mentioned, while in

taved by the Ice godown bunt. of brick, olber addition two or three-houses were "partially destroyed, The Sannomiya temple Wise, in view of the fierce blase from the Umber nothing could have saved it. Fortunately, no godown, when it once became well"alight,; liver were lost, but much excitement was

(b) head-coolies and the poorer class of are agreed that the population of the China mantifacturing opium pipes and other sp. latrine.which is:scarcely Gap fest distant from caused in the neighbourhood, and many house.

-annuallyvi

It is cafimated that the damage done amounte to about Ygopao, of which some Y37,400

smoked two faeli's days of prepared Manchuria and 10,000,000 for Mongolia, Tiber 9-in addition to the Government and Lane have prívies: of, their own jɛ for them a covered by insurance.be insurance.com

Mr. Ch'an added that Tis, dy of

7, Gage Street, Hongkong, 19th May, 1908.

the honour to inform you that I object to the Sir-With reference to the proposed public

erection thereof on the following grounds- latrine to be erected in Chuk Hing Lane I have

At the entrance to Gough Street nearest Chuk Hing Lane there already existe a public shopkeepers: these would consume at B, Morse, B., Havard Commissioner of special census of opium smokers must such close proximity to each other.

Empire exceeds 400,050,000. Finally Mr. Haus. Any one found selling or manufac

the proposed site. I submit it is unnecessary least Tis. 0.3 per diem;

toring such apparatus will be severely punished. and undesirable to have two public latrines in hold treasures were bastily brought out ind, the roadways ready for removal.. Very little, how- (r.) well-to-do Chinese! these would spectoriale-General of Customs, in his book year, and proper permits sapuld be issued by places for rats, and rate are largely responsible boules actuloy destroyed he people, Ervlag

Customs and Statistical Secretary to the In be prepared by the respective provinces. every consume from Tls. 0,3 per diens up: The Trade and Administration of the Chinese them for the purchase and smoking of opium for the spreading of the plague. The foul

Public latrines are specially good breeding are appears to have been saved from this, wards: 71, 0.j. would not be upusual: Empire, published in: 1908 (p. 203), writes by habitusi, ansökers, who must renew their gases generated in a poklic latrine are also got a bold.addA some amoke as much as one (a) a

Do time to do anything after the flames onca Sir J. Jordan reports that the production of

"Parker's estimate of 385, 00,000 is probably. oplum in Szuch'uan is 100,000 picula annually,

day and no han known a man who the safest to follow, For China "outside the permits once a year and reduce the amount liable to cause disease in the neighbourhood. of which 181,0. [See appendix B.] are con

Wall the safest, estimates are. 16,000,000 for

The Inhabitants roundabout Chak Hing sumed in the province, practically no foreign

oplam homes in the Provinces the local gentry public latine would not be a necessity. The pants Concerned, are the Nippon, Nalewal“ opium entering this part of China. To on- other part of the same repon Sir J. Jordan

are a liberty to establish anti-opium leagues or vicinity of Chuk Hing Lane is not a place of Melli Osake and Yokobama, the hand lear points ant that "Szuch ran alone produces

But the promoters and supporters of such would loiter about and find it necessary at the moraleg of the th instant bout with the danger and barm of the opiera trade, the Chinare Recreation Ground where people 20,000 on the contents of the limber yodowe aucieties and publish books or papers dealing public resont such as the Poblic, Gardens and loser being the Nippon, which had********! close on two-thirds" of the total opium pro

societies and papers must not discuss duction in China. He adds that "the population of the provincs is estimated at 45,200,000 atlon, as above calculated, Mr. Ch'an gave it stimates the production of native oplamic All onclair will be severely punliked if which is quite close to the site of the proposed were destroyed by fires The Ara-ong

fairs or any subject except opizm am the orper of house No.7. Gage Street boutes at Onaye-don Bichomkin

go to a latrine near by,

3.30 o'clock, a floriksha cap and two adjoin and Sir A. Hosie is of gimon" that; 17 per cept, of the adults and y pecat, of the entire as his opinion that about 10 per cent, of the Chips to be (-- population are addicted to optim smoking,"

they cannot carry out there rules, but they will latins and the erection of same will have the upper room of the chood. The withyo Sir J. Jordan does not státe jinan 'what date

alto be amply rewarded by the Central Go effect of impairing the sanitary condition and proprietor was the first to awaka, and con Sir 5. Hosle arrived at ble cobifusion, but ar

vargment for such further measures as they lowering the marciary value of my properly names. It is balieyed the fire farket

soon, as the room was already involved. ning from the figures which he bar himself

csa doy so to suppress poppy cultivation, opium or the above reasons I have the honour to supplied, "it follows that 182,000. picuts of raw oplum will boil down into 91,000 picols of pre POLICE REPORT

shops and smokers within their respective request that another site may bay chosen, forklamp/which was accidenta Juried clions before the fixed time limit be more apparent and the public convenience

the proposed latrina whore its desirability may mFiN OBO

houses were insured pared opium or 145,600,000 1aels, implying a

figure is measurably, exact |; but it?

Heladda It cannot be asserted

Roll,The fees collected for permits, for culi dally consumption of 398,904 trols. Assuming

safely asserted that the production of opium the pur.Imperial

the draing batira oplem, etc, will be kept apart by beller servadel lave, dcc

On the provious evening, once a more that each smoker consumes

in Chian to-dayrld at the lowest, aik fold and opt probibition kaáira, V čaroys and

he the various Prouinces to deny the expanses of CivoTOR CHING TONO Limi cow Commissioners in

Ho Mr FH, MAY CEL Colonial Secretary

opium is about the average dose in all classes It will be seen, therefore, tha in assuming the dally consumption of each smokertoba Tis, 0.14 of cross opium, and Tis: 0,084 of prepar od opium, I have taken very low figures, Any increase in them will, of course,

decreate the percentages of opium smokers in the popa.

adult male popolation were opiam smokers- lower, and more probable estimate than the 12943 per cent, calculated in the preceding paragraph. He also said that in Hongkong scarcely any women smoke opium, **

In confirmation of these figures I may add that, in a later dated the athing, the Chief Detective Inspector reports, that of 1,316, Chill

etc., making with Parker's estimate for Chink Proper, a total of 416,000,000, population will decrease the percentage of Of course any increase in the estimated opium smokers and vios vers4.

Mr. Morse in the same book (pp. 915-350)

Coast Provinces Yangisto Provinces Inland Provinces

times to

ing

law the Kobe Hij