that some time ago a large band of armed robbers from the north shore of Deep Bay came into Ping-Shan district and attacked his house; he was fortunate enough to beat them off, killing three of them in the fight. They laid a complaint before the Magistrate at Nam Tau who summoned the Elder before him, but before he was allowed into Magistrate's presence he was obliged to pay one hundred and fifty dollars. The result of the interview was that he was scolded severely for shooting too straight and ordered to pay the expense of burying the three dead robbers. To people accustomed to such a system as this the visit of a Governor, who gave instead of taking, who consulted their views as to local matters, and apparently took some interest in their condition was a new departure that they seemed to appreciate, and they are beginning to realise the comfort of being really protected from the incursion of armed bands of robbers; that the system of brigandage will cease in a moment I do not expect; but I have no doubt that in a short time we shall make the whole district practically safe.
The valley is typical of all the large valleys in the New Territory; the population may broadly be said to depend upon rice cultivation, two crops of rice being grown in the year; the crop pays well in good seasons, but, like the potato in Ireland