- 2 -
43
3.
4.
Commandant, who informed the District Officer that the trains had been palcarded without his knowledge or authority The District Officer, North, has already reported fully to the Colonial Secretary's Office on this and various other
matters.
A rumour in the early part of the week to the effect
that the New Territories was soon to be handed back to the
Nationalists caused some uneasiness in the kinds of certain
of the local inhabitants. I have seen and spoken with some
of the village elders and assured them that the rumour is
groundless.
民
At Shataukok the "Lung Man" have been strengthened so
that they now number about 80. They have at least 40 rifles
besides a number of revolvers.
34
Up to and including the 9th inst., an immense number of anti-British posters, similar to those already sent you, were
removed by police from the houses in British Shataukok. On
the date mentioned I visited Shataukok and removed a number
of posters which had been newly put up. Copies of these
posters which (1) and (2) attached. While I was engaged in
pulling them down the Head of the "Lung Man", Wong Chun Wa,
appeared on the scene. I spoke very strongly to him asking
why he permitted this constant putting up of posters and his reply was "that it was not his work but that of the Labour
Union". Perhaps my remonstrating has had some effect, or
else they are short of posters, as no fresh ones have appear-
ed since the date in question.
However, the intensity of recent anti-British propaganda
in a small place like Shataukok has had its effect on our
local prestige, so much so that some special action is advis-
able if our authority is to be recognized there and maintain-
ed. This, I understand, is about to be undertaken.
A small incident, but one reflecting the general spirit
of