COPY.
No.383.
sir,
226
Colonial Secratary's Office,
Hongkong, 13th. March, 1900.
With reference to my letter No. 315 of the
2nd. instant, I an directed to forward to you for transmission
to the Viceroy the enclosed extract from a report made by
Captain Slade, R.N., of Her Majesty's Ship "Algerine", together
with translation in Chinese containing his suggestions for
regulations calculated to suppress piratical attacks on the
West River. The Guard-boat boarded by Captain Slade on the 27th.
February was the "Tung I". The Viceroy will see that instead of
being a preventive of piracy the presence of this Government
launch, under the circumstances but added a new terror to the
peaceable traders on the River. Another Government launch was
observed evidently plying as a passenger-boat instead of attend-
ing to the protection of the River. His Excellency the Governor
wishes to bring these facts under the notice of the Viceroy
being assured that he will take steps to insure that his orders
are carried out and that no trifling with this serious duty will
be permitted.
The information obtained by Captain Slade,
R.N., and the Colonial Official who accompanied him shows that the pirates take advantage of the Chinese Regulation under which District Magistrates are not permitted to act in adjoining Districts by operating near the borders of Districts so that
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul,
they
CANTO N.