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(Governor to Colonial Secretary.)
HONOURABLE COLONIAL SECRETARY,
Hongkong, 26th April, 1899.
I have read carefully the statements of NG K'I-CH'EUNG and TANG KOK-LAM
and the various documents translated by you. I have decided to frame a regula- tion giving power to any Police Magistrate, or any Justice of the Peace, to sum- mon before them any person for examination in reference to any offence committed, and, on sufficient grounds being shown, to call upon the person so summoned to enter into security to be of the peace and good behaviour. If a summons be not obeyed a warrant may be issued to compel attendance. I do not consider it advi- sable that land should be confiscated in connection with the recent troubles.
any It seems evident from the statements made that the working of the Company alluded to more than once has had something to do with the general uneasiness. It has been stated to me by a Member of the Executive Council that he has been informed that a Company or Syndicate was formed some time ago to buy land in the leased area and that the Syndicate bought land at a rate much below its value by representing to the villagers and elders that when the territory was taken over the land would become the property of this Government who would not acknow- ledge any land titles. This, if true, would account for the great uneasiness dis- played and for the ultimate determination to combine and offer resistance to our occupation of the territory. It may not be true, but should be inquired into. I consider it of great importance that the people should be fully informed as to our intention not to interfere with their holding of land. and the fact that this Govern- ment issued a notice that sales of land effected since the date of the Convention would not necessarily be acknowledged should also be freely circulated. Should it come to your knowledge that land was purchased under its value by false repre- sentations, such sales should be declared null and void if the seller so wishes and is prepared to return the consideration paid.
Having regard to all the circumstances preceding the combined opposition. I do not consider it just or expedient that a vindictive retribution should be exacted. Doubtless, clemency may be misunderstood; but the fault has been sharply punished, and the evidence is before the eyes of the people that swift punishment will follow any similar attempt, while the power to impose a special police tax upon a district in the event of crime, for which no person has been made amenable, will, I expect, act as a salutary deterrent.
I am glad that your proceedings up to the present have resulted in the return of the villagers to their work. I hope that the work of the arrangement of the Districts may soon be actively pursued.
HENRY A. BLAKE.
(Colonial Secretary's Minute of the 1st May, 1899.)
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
TẢI Pó, 1st May, 1999.
Among the Petitioners who came to see me to-day was a man named Ma On- KI belonging to the Un Iu village. I had information in my possession to the effect that he had sold land to the Company, and there was a rumour that he had been compelled to sell it. I accordingly availed myself of his presence to question him. I enclose a copy of the statement* he made before me. If the transaction took place in the 8th moon of last year it cannot be recognised by the Govern ment in view of the proclamation issued informing the people that no sales of land would be recognised if made after the date of the Convention. But you will notice that the seller states he sold the land of his own free will and no threats were made to induce him to sell it. He also states that the price he received was a fair price and that he does not wish to buy back the land again. When the land question is being investigated it will be necessary to have some rule laid down as to how cases like the present are to be dealt with. The Acting Registrar General might make further enquiries regarding the transaction in question in Hongkong from the Chairman of the Land Company.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
* Enclosure No. 1.