207
duly published
on the 16. April last.
and that the territory leased accordingly, became from that moment an integral portion of the Colony of Hongkong. That the town of Sam Chun and the City of Kowloon were accordingly occupied on the 16th May last, and had remained in Her Majesty's occupation ever since.
That the occupation of the new territory was not however effected altogether in a pacific manner, and that local disturbances ensued which were directly encouraged if not connived at by the Viceroy of Canton ought unquestionably to have been prevented by him.
A provisional boundary had previously been delimitated by Commissioners appointed by the Chinese Government and by that of Her Majesty, but in consequence of the disturbances alluded to, and also for reasons of Imperial policy, that it was decided by Her Majesty's Government that it would be expedient to occupy the town of Sham Chun which was outside the provisional boundary and also to occupy the City of Kowloon, to which there was a reservation in Section by Her Majesty's Government.
That the question whether Sham Chun should be permanently occupied or should after a time be restored to China had for some time been under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government; but that it had now been decided to withdraw from Sham Chun, and to retire within the boundary previously delimitated.
That Her Majesty's Government had however come to the conclusion that it was absolutely necessary that Kowloon City should henceforth be wholly and in all respects under British jurisdiction, and an intimation to that effect had been addressed to the Chinese Government.
That it had therefore become necessary that the Order in Council of 20 October 1898 should be amended accordingly.
That Mr. Bertram Cox was requested to submit to us the Draft of an amending Order accordingly.
7 WW Treas