IN SINGAPORE, 
63 
The reader will see that the rent so derived has gradually increas¬ 
ed, slow, hut beautifully sure, except in the last year when it has 
fallen # 1,491. 35cts. This fall is in common with the other farms, 
shewing that the decrease was not so much owing to a perception of 
the evil by the opium smokers themselves, as to the general distress 
which prevailed among the working orders and which prevented the 
gratification of their habit to the usual extent. 
Monthly reni 
of opium. 
Spirit. 
Pawnbro¬ 
kers. 
Markets. 
Toddy and 
Iiang. 
Scere. 
1845- 46 
1846- 47 
Decrease 
Increase 
i*8,99I.35c 
7,500. 00 
1,491.35 
# 4,230 
3,500 
730 
*• 
#362 
535 
173 
# 1,065 
945 
120 
■ • 
#211 
185 
26 
#1,290 
910 
380 
. The very fact ol the increase of the Pawnbrokers Farm shows the 
distress of the poorer class. 
If we take the Government revenue for the 3 years of 1843-44, 
44-5, 45-6 if is only a trifle less than #9,000 monthly, # 9,000 
While the expences of the Opium Farmer’s establish- 
% 
ment are not under # 800 monthly, . . .. . . ?? 800 
The No. of chests of opium necessary to be sold to 
make up this revenue is 16 at # 600 . . .. .. ,, 9,000 
16 chests each containing 40 balls and each hall giv¬ 
ing 22 taels of Chandu, each tael being equal to 1$ oz. 
which at the Farmer’s selling price of # I. 40 a tael 
will realize, 
# 19,400 - 
19,712 
# 312 
Leaving a balance of monthly profit of ., 
which is far within the mark. 
According to Mr. Kong Tuan, who was for some years the Opium 
Farmer, during certain months of the year, 810 taels of Chandu or 
prepared opium were daily sold; these months were when the Junks 
were here; during the other months from 4 to 500 taels was the con¬ 
sumption. This would require 20 chests, and would give a gross re¬ 
venue to the farmer of, .. .. .. .. .. # 24,640 
While his expenditure would be rent of Farm 
i * 
