PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
adi ti
6
Reference:
C.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
| ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
Beria!
From or to whom.
Despatch
No.
Data.
Ko., 4o.
87
To Governor Sir H. Telegram
A. Blake.
1899.
April 5
88
Subject.
Governor Sir H. A.Telegram (Rec. Apr. 6)
Blake.
Approves his action reported in Nos. 80, 109
82, and 85. Instructs him to tele- graph the date of taking over the lessed ares, and states that the Chinese Government is being communicated with as to the removal of the Customs stations.
States that the Order in Council will be officially published on April 8th, and the new territory taken over on April 17th. Requests sanction to the exemption of the territory from the provisions of Ordinance 21 of 1896 (Military Contribution Ordinance).
Berial
From or to whom.
No.
Dorpatch No. ko.
Date.
98
To Governor Sir H. Telegram
A. Blake.
-1899.
April 13
109
99
To Foreign Office... Secret
April 13
Subject.
States that Customs stations must stand for the present; instructs him to com- municate with Pekin accordingly, pressing for the withdrawal of the stations at the earliest possible date and to take over the territory on April 17.
Transmits copies of Nos. 95, 97, and 98, and enggests that the Tsungli Yamen should be urged by telegram to allow no further difficulties to be raised as to taking over the territory.
Governor Sir H. A. Telegram (Rec. Apr. 14) States that he has informed Pekin, as
Blake.
100
89
Foreign Office
A
April 7
Tranamita copy of two telegrams from Mr. Bax-Ironside reporting repre- sentations made by him to the Yamen respecting the disturbances.
109
101
90
Ditto
...
Confi- dential.
April 7
Foreign Office
Transmits copy Note to the Chinese Ambassador stating that Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking has been instructed to inform the Chinese Government
110
Confi- dential.
April 14
Government
that Her Majesty's cannot agree to the maintenance of Chinese Custome stations in Hong Kong or the new territory.
102
Governor Sir H. A.
Blake.
66
March 17 (Rec. Apr. 15.)
91
To Governor Bir H. Telegram
A. Blake.
April 8
Cannot sanction the exemption of the new territory from Ordinance No. 21, 1896.
111.
103
92
Foreign Office
To Governor Bir H.Telegram
A. Blake.
April 15
10.
Confi- dential.
April 8
111
98
Governor Sir H. A.
Blake.
53
March 10 (Rec. Apr. 10.)
94
Ditto
Telegram (Rec. Apr. 11)
95
To Governor Sir H. Telegram
A. Blake.
April 11
Transmita telegram from Mr. Bax-Iron- side stating that Sir R. Hart has asked that certain Customs stations on the islands near Hong Kong may remain until October.
Reports that he has decided to have a complete survey made as soon 28 possible; encloses memorandum by the Director of Public Works, and a copy of a letter to the Government of India requesting the loan of survey officers and assistants.
Notifies that the Viceroy of Kwang Tung declines to hand over Kowloon on April 17th, but that he (the Governor) will, nevertheless, proceed to assume possession.
Instructs him that unless he sees strong objection to Sir R. Hart's proposal to keep open certain Customs stations until October, he should concur, on the condition that no other stations remain, and that those in question will be removed not later than Oo- tober.
96
97
+
Telegram
Ditto
Governor Sir H. A. Telegram (Rec. Apr. 12)
Blake.
104
Foreign Office
112
Confi- dential.
April 15
105
114
instructed in No.98; enquires whether Customs officers can exercise their functions in territorial waters of Colony pending removal.
Pugs.
115
115
116
Transmits telegraphic correspondence 116
with Mr. Bax-Ironside respecting the temporary retention of Chinese Cus- toms houses and the Governor's in- tention to take over the territory on April 17.
Reports his negotiations with the De- limitation Commissioner appointed by the Chinese Government resulting in the Bham Chun River being agreed to as a provisional boundary.
In reply to No. 100, states that the position of the Chinese officers will be informal and that they will have no legal status, but requests him to use his influence to avoid difficulties.
Transmita telegram from Mr. Bax-Iron- side reporting that the Inspector- General was grateful for the permission to retain the Customs stations tempo- rarily, and would complete the new arrangements as quickly as possible.
117
122
122
Governor Sir H. A. Telegram) (Rec. Apr. 15) Reports that the matsheds at Taipohu 123
Blake.
114
106
Ditto
107
Ditto
April 11
Approves proposal contained in No. 94 States that he has no personal objection to the Chinese Customs remaining at the stations until further arrange- ments can be made, but points out legal and commercial difficulties.
114
115
had been burnt, that troops had been went there to prepare for the ceremony of taking over the territory and that it was feared that there would be opposition.
Telegram (Rec. Apr. 16) | States that Officer Commanding troops at Taipohu reports having been Ärød upon, but no onaualty: has wired to Viceroy demanding assurance that opponents are not Chinese troops; will hoist flag April 16.
Telegram (Rec. Apr. 16) | Reports that the Chinese had been driven from their position, that he believes they were members of the dangerous Triad Society from Sham Chun, and urges that it is necessary for the se- curity of the district that the boundary should be made the crest of the hills north of Sham Chun.
123
123
Serial
From or to whom.
Despatch
Date.
No.
No., 4o.
xii
Bubject.