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(Colonial Secretary's Minute of the 17th April, 1899.)
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
TÁI Pó Hü, 17h April, 1899, 6.30 am.
Everything passed off quietly last night. We fancied we heard the sound of firing in the distance, but the Military have not made any movement, so we may have been mistaken in thinking the sound we heard was firing. I hope we shall be able to get our tents erected to-day. The Wing Fu is not altogether adapted for the accommodation of so many Europeans and Chinese as have now to live on board of her. I will meet the General Officer Commanding early this morning when we will arrange a plan of action. I think the General Officer Command- ing wants the Troops to rest to-day. A flag has been captured by the Hongkong Regiment with Chinese characters on it. They are of importance and I will deal with this matter in a further memo. to-day. I am sending this to Sha Tin by a Police launch. It will be taken over the Kowloon hills by a messenger.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
(Colonial Secretary's Second Minute of the 17th April, 1899.)
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Tá Pó Hü, 17th April, 1899, 8.30 a.m.
I attach herewith a sketch of the flag captured by the Hongkong Regiment in the trenches on the hills to the North of Tái pó Hü on the evening of the 15th instant.
The flag has a red border and a white centre on which are seven Chinese characters, meaning:-
"Trainband sanctioned by the Government: Tai Kai (Village): surmaine Man."
The village referred to which is also known by the name of Tai Hang () is situated in the Lam Tsun () Valley, N. W. of Tái pó Hü, from which place the village in question is distant about 2 miles.
The village is inhabited by the Man clan.
It is important to note that "the trainband" is established by Government sanction. This clearly shows that "the trainband" should have been controlled by the officials of the Government.
It is, of course, possible that the flag may have been used without authority, but I have reason to believe that the head of this Man clan has been actively supporting the insurgents with money and food. He promised to come to Hong- kong to beg for pardon, but never appeared on the plea of old age.
I recommend that the Governinent of China be called upon for an explanation. I am sending this by special messenger who will proceed by launch to Sha Tin and walk over the hills to Kowloon. I will take steps to discover the where- abouts of the head of the Man clan.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.