541
ERAL, MA.
At the request of Mr. Hillier, who stated that he has no place prepared in which to accommodate his staff, His Excellency the Governor permitted him to continue in occupation of such of the stations as were not required by this Government, for Police purposes on condition that all arms were forthwith to be removed from British territory.
The Viceroy should, however, understand that this large staff is kept idle for the present in consequence of His Excellency having neglected to make timely arrangements for their accommodation on the frontier.
Up to the present this Government has only required the use of three stations but it is possible that at any moment the exigencies of police service may make it necessary to take over others in which case if the Viceroy has not caused accommodation to be prepared for customs staff on Chinese territory, His Excellency the Governor fears they will suffer serious inconvenience.
It is hardly necessary to point out that the action of the Viceroy in leaving the new frontier entirely unguarded must result in considerable loss to the Chinese revenue by smuggling.
I have etc.
(sd) J.G.P. Buckle,
per Colonial Secretary.