NEW TERRITORY
(Contd.)
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Emperor of Nam Hon, Lau Chang awarded to this mountain the name of Sui Ying Shan or the good omen mountain, and erected on it a stone plate, on which was recorded the history of the monastery.
In the 4th year of Yun Yau of the Sung Dynasty (A.D. 1089) Tseung Chi Kei, a general in Canton, wrote a history about the hill.
In the 24th year of Ka Hing of the Tsing Dynasty (A.D. 1819) there still could be found the two old stone pillars though in broken condition. Their length was 5 cheungs or 62.5 ft. and they were separated from each other by 40 paces.
There were also the following remains of antiquity:
Running Tiger stream (Fu Pau Tsun), Deer Pool (Luk Wu), Peach-flower Stream (To Fa Kan), Dropping Water Cave (Tik Shou Ngam), Parrot Stone (Hang Koh shek) and Stone Buddha Cave (Shek Fat Ngam).
At the back of the "Stone Buddha Cave" there is a big hole whose depth is immeasurable. On the top of the Cave there are many old trees and branches among which there are two bell-flower trees (Tiu Chung Fa) which are so intermingling that they seem to embrace each other and there is also a path full of orchids which are always very fragrant. On the top of the hill there is a big stone on which are carved the characters Shan Tai Yat (the best, high mountain). They are supposed, according to some prevalent opinion, to be written by Hon Yun, a famous Scholar in the Tong Dynasty.
The Topography of Kwangtung said, "Once upon a time there was a big whale which crushed the mountain and knocked down a part of it. People then built the Pou To Monastery there." There are still some big fish bones in the cave. (Written by Sung Hok-pang, April 4, 1938).
To-day is Trafalgar Day, and we think mainly of the Navy and what it means to the Empire. It is appropriate that we should remember the connexion of the Navy with the founding of Hong Kong, and its subsequent growth under the protection of the Senior Service silent, unseen, yet ever watchful, keeping our trade routes clear, and our existence respected and secure.
Space permits of a brief survey of work done by Royal Navy in the pacification of the New Territories, an episode in the Colony's history which has hitherto been written up only from the records of Military or Police participation. Most of us have heard of Kam Tin's historic iron gates, taken away, and within the past decade restored. Few know of the part taken by the Naval forces in ensuring the quick movement of troops and supplies, or in giving aid as and when urgently needed. Let us consider some of these aspects of the Colony's more recent history.
There are several interesting letters, in the Commodore's records, relating to Naval participation in the expedition which was found necessary (owing to some of the villagers giving trouble), at the time the New Territories were taken over. One of the most striking of these is from the Governor, Sir Henry Blake, dated April 3, 1899, addressed to Commodore Powell, which states:
"I have this moment (12 Midnight) heard that it is necessary at once to dispatch a small force of troops to Tai Po Hu to assist the C.S.P. who, with six Sikh police and ten Chinese braves, has been threatened by the villagers and writes asking for relief. I would therefore be obliged by you furnishing me with one of H.M. ships to convey 100 men to Tai Po Hu, starting as soon as possible."