Land Office.)
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the main burden falling on the rank and file of the Police owing to the aversion of the Chinese coolies to handling the dead bodies. The Newspapers commented most favourably upon the prompt and hard work which was rendered in the calamity by the members of the Police and Sanitary Departments. I have called for, but not yet received from, the heads of these Departments reports on the services of individuals, so that they may be suitably recorded. Many lives were saved by the Police on the day of the disaster.
47. In the New Territories Police Constable J. Mackay, acting as Land Bailiff for the Northern District, assisted by the Tai Po Land Office clerks and messengers, is reported to have saved the valuable records of that office by courageous work at the height of the storm in the falling matsheds where they were stored. I have promised Mr. Mackay the next vacancy on the permanent staff of Land Bailiffs in the New Territories, a post which he is well qualified to fill, and I have directed that two temporary clerks should be put on the permanent staff of the Land Office from the 1st January, 1907, when there will be appointments for them to fill. To four other clerks and five messengers I have granted a bonus of one month's