Government House, Hong Kong, 12 June, 1899.
No. 142
706
Sir,
Enclosure 6.
I have the honour to transmit to you a requisition for three 303 Maxim machine guns, ammunition, and belts for the Police Department, and to request that the order may be executed by the Crown Agents through the Army Ordnance Department.
2. The guns are required for the Police Launches patrolling the waters of the New Territory.
It is absolutely necessary that these launches should be well equipped in order to effectively control the numerous armed junks and native craft which frequent the neighbouring waters where piratical attacks are becoming more frequent. The Chinese Customs cruisers which have now been withdrawn were all fully armed and equipped.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
GOVERNOR &c.
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&c.
&c.