C.O.
16557
Rece Red 27 JUN 79
442
Honourable Colonial Secretary.
The annexed report by the Captain Superintendent of Police will show what has been done as to the complaint to the Bishop. This was the best course to take and you will observe that the presence of the police was in the usual course of their ordinary duty, which is the way in which the people of the district had best be approached. There was no trouble and no incident.
Now that you have visited the whole district, the sooner that you can approach the question of the division of the leased area into Districts and subdistricts, the better.
If you send to the elders to meet you at a given place, I have no doubt they will do so, except those engaged in the murder. It is not my intention to exact any punishment for the events of the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th.
Those who opposed the troops got a severe lesson that will, I hope, be sufficient to prevent any further attempt at resistance.
In your arrangement for the future with the people, I should advise you to ignore what has past and utilise the best material you can find in recommending the personnel of the local councils, until this has been done, no practical administration work can be accomplished. In moving about, I think it will be better not to take troops.
You have a large force of police, and it is wise that the people should be accustomed to seeing them.
I do not consider that it will be necessary to have military in that district after the police stations have been completed.
The troops will be drawn within easy reach as soon as the road is completed to Tai po hui, and in the meantime, we ...