_a._--There is no large contraband trade in opium carried on between
this Colony and the China coast. On the contrary, the opium smuggled,
considering the extent of the trade, is inconsiderable, and for the
most part is carried into China in small quantities, portable and
easily concealed, just as parcels of tobacco are smuggled into the
United Kingdom.
_b._--That within the knowledge of the Harbour Master and the Colonial
police authorities no armed junks have been fitted out in this harbour
during the last five years for the purpose of opium smuggling.
Smuggling of opium, when attempted at all otherwise than by passengers
in the various steamers trading to the coast of China, is carried on
in ordinary trading junks or in rowing boats dependent for success in
their illicit trade upon their swiftness and small size.
_c._--No such contests as those referred to in allegation _c_ have
taken place within the last five years, and no loss of life in
connection with opium smuggling during the same period has come under
the notice of the police. Any serious affrays attended with loss of
life which have occurred in the neighbourhood of this Colony between
native vessels and revenue cruisers, have been in connection with
contraband traffic in other articles on the adjacent China coast with
which, so far as is known, this Colony has had no concern. The only
instance reported by the police in which revenue officers have been
injured, was the case of the salt junk referred to above and shown to
be a purely Chinese affair.
It may be added that on goods other than opium there is very little, if
any, illicit trade carried on between the Colony and the mainland, and
that no allegation has ever been made that foreigners are engaged directly
or indirectly in smuggling of any kind.
In conclusion, the Committee cannot refrain from expressing regret that
Sir John Pope Hennessy having had the fullest opportunities, as Governor
of this island for five years, of obtaining accurate information with
regard to occurrences taking place and the state of affairs prevailing
here during his term of office, should have been led to make statements,
unfounded in fact and misleading in the inferences they are calculated to
raise, which could not fail to damage the character of the Colony, the
legitimate interests of which it might justly have been expected he would
have been most anxious to defend.
Copies of this letter will be sent through His Excellency the
Administrator to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the
Colonies, and to the various Chambers of Commerce in the United
Kingdom.--I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) F. BULKELEY JOHNSON,
_Chairman_.
Charles Magniac, Esq., M.P.,
President of the London Chamber of
Commerce, London.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY W. H. ALLEN AND CO., 13 WATERLOO PLACE.