Sub-Enc.b.2.
Letter of proceedings.
H.M.S."Fame", Hongkong.
April 15th 1899.
58
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that in compliance with the Commodore's order of April 14th, I embarked Mr May, Chief Superintendent, and 17 police for conveyance to the Government matsheds near Tai-po-hu, and proceeded for Tolo Harbour at 2 p.m. on that day.
On our arrival, we found the matsheds burnt down and still smouldering, and no sign of the coolies who had been working at them.
I landed at once with Mr May and his police to search for them. We found the village of Tai-po-hu deserted with the exception of one or two old men and the custodian of the Temple. The latter informed us that at least a thousand armed men with several standards had marched over the border and set fire to the matsheds about five hours before, and that all the coolies had escaped towards Hongkong. He was much agitated and begged us to leave as soon as possible. As he said the hostile men were all round the village, were determined not to allow us to remain, and would certainly attack us shortly.
We could see four or five standards and a large body of men on the hills N.W. of the village about a mile away; they kept up an incessant yelling, beating of gongs, and firing of crackers or guns, probably gingalls, but if so, we were out of range. I offered to land an armed party and, assisted by the police under cover of the "Fame's" guns, to drive them out of their positions, but Mr May said he had no authority to use force and asked me to embark his men and allow them to remain on board.
C.w.u. Plenderleath
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