- 42-
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
PING SHAN, 21st April, 1899.
Mr. MAY says you wish me to stay here, so I will remain. I had already written to you to say that I thought I ought to be on the spot. Troops without anyone of authority who knows the language would produce much unnecessary trouble. Everything is quiet here. The villagers are returning. Excuse a hurried note, which Inspector HANSON will deliver to Mr. MAY.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
P'ING SHÁN, 23rd April, 1899.
I have been using every endeavour to induce the people to return to their usual avocations. On the 20th instant I issued a notification of which I enclose a copy and which has had a very good effect.
Yesterday I received five (5) petitions which are all couched in the same terms.
I attach a translation. The petitions are from-
(1.) The Kam T'in District including 11 villages.
(2.) The Pát Heung
"
1:
The Shap Pát Heung District
(3.) The Há Ts'ün
The Castle Peak District
(4.) The Ping Shán
(5.) The Lam Ts‘üin
8
"
9
""
17
22
"
8
13
27
27
20
"
Total..... 91
11
These villages represent the most important section of the new territory. You will observe that Petitioners request that the Government may select such sites as it may require for offices, Police Stations, &c.
These petitions were brought by the elders of the various districts mentioned and were presented in the presence of over 100 people, who had assembled in front of our quarters here. I availed myself of the opportunity to impress upon those present that there was no reason why they should not return to their villages and pursue their lawful occupations; that good people would receive every protection, but that bad characters would be punished without leniency.
The villagers in this neighbourhood are returning in large numbers to their villages and most of the male population is at work as usual in the fields.
A quantity of arms has been surrendered by the different villages, which I will have removed to Tái pó, later on.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
P.S.-The Captain Superintendent of Police informs me that some of the villagers from the territory have gone to Hongkong and tried to make people believe that they knew nothing about the cession of the territory to Great Britain, You will observe that Petitioners make no such plea and you will, of course, remember that I sent Mr. Ts'or round with the proclamation of the San On District Magistrate, which Mr. Ts'or himself posted in all the chief villages. Your Excellency's proclamation would also have been more widely distributed had not the person sent to distribute them been murdered.
J. H. S. L.
(Translation.)
NOTIFICATION.
All good villagers should return to their villages and carry on their work as usual. If bad characters attempt to interfere with them, an immediate report should be made and they will be dealt with without mercy.
THE CAMP, P'ING SHÁN, 20th April, 1899.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
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