HONG KONG.
CORRESPONDENCE
RESPECTING THE
EXTENSION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COLONY.
18791.
No. 1.
DRAFT PROCLAMATION.
(For translation into Chinese.)
[Communicated by Mr. Stewart Lockhart, on June 20, 1898.]
WHEREAS the Queen of Great Britain has leased from the Emperor of China the territory immediately adjacent to British Kowloon, and whereas all affairs within that territory will be administered and all revenues collected by British officials from the [here insert date], this proclamation is issued to notify you inhabitants accordingly, At the same time you should clearly understand that the long inherited manners and customs of the people will not be interfered with, that vested interests in land will be duly respected, and that all real grievances and just complaints will be carefully and thoroughly investigated. All law-abiding persons will be allowed to pursue in peace and without disturbance their usual avocations. Any disorderly conduct or disregard of the law will involve immediate punishment. You inhabitants are therefore urged to assist in maintaining good order and bringing bad characters to justice, whereby the welfare of the people may be secured and good government promoted.
13111
S.
SIR,
No. 2.
COLONIAL OFFICE to MR. STEWART LOCKHART.
[Answered by No. 38.]
Downing Street, June 22, 1898.
TUITI
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference —
C.O. 882
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to inform you that he wishes you
to visit and report upon the territory on the mainland adjacent to Hong Kong about to
be leased by the Chinese Government to Her Majesty the Queen.
2. Mr. Chamberlain considers that your presence in this country on leave of absence has been very opportune for giving you the necessary instructions for this purpose; and he has little doubt that your local knowledge and experience will enable you to supply him with a report that will be of great assistance to Her Majesty's Government.
3. You will bear in mind that the territory in question will probably not be actually taken over for some little time to come, and therefore in visiting it you will be visiting an area still under Chinese government, and you will be careful in no way to show any wish to criticise or to interfere with the existing régime.
4. You will understand that your report should be mainly of a general nature, and that any specific enquiries should be chiefly directed to ascertaining what immediata”“” steps it will be necessary to take as soon as the territory is formally handed over.
5. You should therefore specially consider :-
a. What immediate increase to staff will become necessary, especially with a view to carrying out the pledge which has been given on behalf of the
5. PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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