C.O.
16557
RECO
∞
REGO 27 JUN 19
440
Your Excellency,
Taipo, 30th April 1899.
The reports forwarded by me daily during the last fortnight have shown that the inhabitants of the newly leased territory have returned to their usual occupations, and I trust that it will now be possible to make arrangements for the administration of the new territory. I think it worth pointing out that the attitude of the inhabitants as a whole is not as respectful as one would have anticipated after the experiences through which they have just passed, and whilst an armed force is still stationed in the territory, I am of opinion that a Military force should be retained in the territory for some time to come, if not permanently, and should be stationed somewhere near the frontier. An excellent camping ground exists at the head of the Lung Twat Tau valley, which would be a suitable place for locating troops.
As regards the policing of the territory, I understand that Your Excellency has decided to erect Police Stations at Taipo, Un Long, and Ping Shan. I am of opinion that there should also be a station at Pu Ti Au in the Sheung Shui Division, on the site which I have described in a previous minute, an opinion which I believe is also shared by Mr. May. As I have previously pointed out, Police Stations should be erected without delay; otherwise, it is not improbable that the old cry of interference with Fung Shui will be raised and lead to further trouble. Nothing has been done as yet.
I trust it is Your Excellency's intention to deal in some way with the ringleaders in the anti-British movement. They have not suffered in any way; the real sufferers are the people, who have been the dupes of the ringleaders and who would be only too glad to see those who have misled them punished. It will, I fear, tend to strengthen the belief of...
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