༠༠༠༡༦.
in
TAI PO HU.
685
Your Excellency.
I scribbled a short pencil note to you immediately after I had hoisted the flag. The ceremony passed off very successfully considering how rapidly all arrangements had to be made. Salutes were fired from the shore and afloat by H.M.S. "Brisk" and H.M.S. "Fame" which were dressed. I have arranged that the British ensign is to be hoisted every day at sunrise and lowered at sunset. The troops here and the Fellows are in good health and excellent spirits. Mr. May is staying on board the 'Wingfu' with me as are also two European members of the Police Force - a Sergeant and Constable and Mr. Pooi and my Chinese writer. I propose to keep the "Wingfu' here until our tents on shore have been erected. It is anticipated that they will be in position to-morrow. I also propose to keep the "Praya" here for the present and to retain Mr. Mudie at Taipo so that he may superintend the construction of a bamboo jetty which is essential in order to facilitate landing arrangements. The Director of Public Works should know this. The General Officer Commanding is remaining behind and we will together consult a plan of travelling throughout the territory without delay. So far as I can gather the G.O.C. wishes the troops to rest to-morrow, but I will report later on what is decided. It is impossible to ascertain whether there were any casualties last night. There are many rumours, but without
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