PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
·। ། ། ། །
19
wudumim
Reference :-
C.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
178
I regret to say that Major Watson, R.A.M.C., was attacked yesterday by a buffalo, and severely hurt, but he is still able to discharge his duties, and is all the better this morning for a good night's rest.
In the country through which we passed yesterday-we marched about 15 miles from Ping Shan to Fan Ling-we saw men and women carrying on their farming operations as usual, and all the inhabitants-men, women, and children-have returned to their villages, through which we passed, and to Sheung Shui, where we are now staying, and to Fan Ling, which we visited last night.
I met Mr. Badeley at Fan Ling, and he is coming on with me to-day to Wo Hang, where we intend to stay to-night. To-morrow we will return to Taipo, unless anything unforeseen occurs to stop us. There are rumours here that resistance may be offered in the neighbourhood of Starling Inlet, which we will reach to-morrow.
I am giving Mr. Badeley all the information I already have and can gather regard- ing the murder.
I examined, in company with Mr. Badeley and Colonel The O'Gorman, yesterday evening a site for a police station near the village at Fu Ti Au. One of the leading villagers accompanied us, and stated that there would be no real objection to the site we think best, which is admirably situated on a hill, commanding a view of the valley in which we now are and the valley which runs right up to the Sham Chun river.
As regards police stations, I think they should be put in hand at once, as any delay may only lead to further trouble.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
J. H. STEWART Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.
Enclosure 21 in No. 171.
Ping Shan, April 24, 1899. THIS afternoon a messenger arrived at this village with a bundle of notifications in the name of the Viceroy of the Two Kwong and the Governor of the Kwong Tung Province: immediately had him detained and on examining him found that he had been sent by the Magistrate of the San On District to post notification of the Viceroy and Governor at twelve places in our territory. I attach a copy of the statement made by the man before me, a copy of the order issued by the San On District Magistrate, with a translation, and one of the notifications, with a translation.
It is a curious coincidence that the date of the notification is the 19th April, when the rebels had been defeated. It is also peculiar that all the places where the notices were to be posted are places which took part in resisting the British troops, with the exception of Kap Shui Mun.
The Viceroy had no right to send notices issued by him into our territory, and both he and the San On District Magistrate should be called to account.
I will detain the man pending further instructions. I will, of course, see that he is properly cared for.
you
will observe from the man's statement, he had not posted any of the notices
before being detained.
J. H. STEWART Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.
Statement of the Messenger of the San On Magistrate.
Lo Un states:-
I am a native of Nam Tau. The San On Magistrate issued this order to one of the Chin Chau braves, who hired me to do his work. His name is "Small-pox Ng." There were 14 notices; two were taken to be posted at Castle Peak and Kap Shui Mun. I have handed over all the notices I have got. I do not know who took those for Kap Shui Mun and Castle Peak. I have not posted a single notice. I was going to begin at Ping Shan when I was stopped. I came here from Nam Tau to-day by the Un Long pass-boat. I landed at Sha Kong and came direct here. I have not been anywhere also.
(Order handed in; see translation
This is the order regarding the notice. attached).
179
Translation of the Order issued by Chin, Magistrate of the San On District.
This messenger will at once take 14 copies of the proclamation issued by the Viceroy and Governor, and proceed with all despatch to the villages and market towns enumerated in the attached list, and there post the proclamations for general informa- tion. The said messenger must be careful to have the proclamations wrapped up, so as to prevent them being damaged by wet. Any delay will be punished. Proceed with all haste.
List of villages:
Un Long Hu. Kam Tin Hu. Ping Shan Hu.
Tai Po Hu. Shek Tau Wai. Lin Fa Li. Lung Yuk Tan. Lam Tsun. Tai Wo Shi: Ping Kong. Fan Ling. Sha Lo Lung.
Kap Shui Mun.
Castle Peak.
Messenger, a Chin Chan brave.
Dated 14th day of the 3rd Moon (23rd April).
This Order will be cancelled on the day of the messenger's return. (Translated by J. H. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secretary.)
A Second Proclamation for General Information, issued by Tam, Viceroy of the Two Kwongs, and Luk, Governor of Kwong Tung Province.
We have already issued a proclamation for general information regarding the Kau Lung boundary. We have also on two occasions despatched troops to keep order, and have issued stringent orders to Colonel Li Sz King and Major Fong Un to co-operate with the Magistrate of the San On District to earnestly explain matters to the inhabi- tants, so that they may all live together in peace without suspicion.
We have just heard that on the 7th day (16th April) over a thousand natives fought with the British troops at Tai-po-hu; but as to the cause, as to whether anyone was injured, as to whether they were bad people within the leased territory, or as to whether they were the remnants of the faction of Chung Shui Yeung, and came from Chinese territory, we have received no report from the Military Commanders or the District Magistrate.
Now that the Militia has been organised and each district has its gentry and elders. the military and civil officers referred to ought to summon the gentry, and earnestly explain to them that this leasing of territory has received Imperial sanction; that it is clearly laid down in the Convention that the people will not be compelled to remove; that private property will not be expropriated; and that there will be no mal-treatment. With regard to those outside the leased territory this matter does not affect them in any way. Why should they in disobedience of the Imperial commands create dis- turbance regardless of their property and their lives? the people of any other district arm themselves and assist in the fight their conduct is a still more serious dis- regard of the law.
We therefore think it is right to circulate this second proclamation, to urge you people to reform the error of your ways, and to strive to be good and loyal subjects, and so avoid involving yourselves in the meshes of the law.
Let all tremble and obey.
25th year, 3rd moon, 10th day (April 19, 1899).
Kwo
WONG SHU.
Sealed with the seal of the Viceroy and Governor.
Notice to be posted at Ping Shan.
(Translated by J. H. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secretary.)
LO UN
His X Mark.
Statement made before me this 24th day of April, 1899.
J. H. STEWArt Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.
638