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From Luk King we proceeded to Plover Cove, and walked through the villages in that district, the elders of which are coming to see me here. We reached Taipo at
p.m., after having marched about 25 miles.
6
On arrival I sent you the following message:-
:-"Just returned Taipo after 25 miles' march; glad to report country traversed peaceful; inhabitants, male and female, all pursuing ordinary occupations. Hope complete tour shortly."
All the inhabitants seem to have returned to the villages in the districts through which we passed. We saw men and women working in the fields. As an instance of the feeling of confidence now existing among the people, I may mention that out of 111 persons employed yesterday at Wo Hang to carry our baggage, 70 were women, who came with us all the way from Wo Hang to the Camp here.
Before leaving Wo Hang, I received a deputation of the elders of that district, who presented a petition couched in much the same terms as the petitions already presented by other districts. I told them that I was not able to state in what manner the Governor would deal with those who had taken part in resisting the British, but that His Excellency had instructed me to tell them that all good people would be protected; that bad characters would be severely dealt with; and that they should carry on their occupations as usual. I called upon them to surrender their arms, which they did, but somewhat reluctantly. I will have a complete list of all arms surrendered drawn up and forwarded in due course.
At Wo Hang a deputation of the elders from the Luk Yeuk district waited on me, and presented a petition, a translation of which is being made. The inhabitants of this district do not appear to have taken any part in the recent disturbance. I gave the deputation copies of your Chinese proclamation speech and translations of the Local Committee's Ordinance, and told them that they should continue to carry on their work as usual, and that every protection would be extended to them. They brought a few arms which I had called upon them to surrender. They will be included in the general list.
To-morrow I intend to visit the eastern portion of the territory, starting from here in a launch, landing at Chik Kang, and proceeding by land to Sai Kung, and from Sai Kung to Sai Kang, where we will meet the launch, which will take us back to Taipo.
When we have made this visit, we shall have practically completed the tour of the territory, and I will at once commence the work of arranging the districts, information regarding which I have been collecting during my recent tour.
The man who was murdered was sent on behalf of the Hong Kong Government, and I informed Your Excellency at the time that great difficulty had been experienced in finding persons willing to distribute Your Excellency's Chinese proclamation.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
[13.]
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART.
Taipo, April 29, 1899.
What
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The resident of Sham Chun to whom I refer came here yesterday to see me, and stated that the following places in Chinese territory had taken part in the fighting against the British troops:-
Pan Fui
Wai Tak In the Tung Kum District.
Kak Fin.
Sheung Po
Sham Chun
Sha Tan.
In the San On District, just outside our boundary.
He said that about the following numbers had joined in the fighting:-
Pau Tin
Wa Tak
Other places mentioned
350
700
300
1,350
He informed me that the five chief branches of the Tang Clan are the branches residing at:-
(1) Pau Tin. (2) Wai Tak.
Kam Tin. Ping Shan Ha Tsun.
It is, therefore, easy to see that the branches of the Tang Kum took part in the active resistance to the British in order to assist their clansmen.
Their intention must have been known to the Chinese authorities in Tung Kun, who must be aware of the close relationship existing between the various branches of the clan,
One of the prisoners now in Hong Kong came from Pau Tin. He is the man who tried to shoot one of the havildars of the Hong Kong Regiment, and speaks with a Tung Kun accent. He could give a good deal of information. My informant of yes- terday told me that one of the soldiers, named Man Cham, belonging to the guard of the petty military mandarin stationed at Sham Chun, named She Kam, took part in the fight against the British with the knowledge of his superior officer, and lost a thumb in the action.
My informant says that Major Fong, who was stationed at Sham Chun, took no steps whatever to preserve order, though he must have known what was taking place. As my informant put it, he pretended to be deaf and blind! This information corro- borates the Chinese letter found in the meeting house at Un Lung, writer stated that Major Fong will not interfere with them in carrying out their which the settled plans. I called special attention to this phrase in the letter when forwarding the translation of it.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TTIINC.O. 882
5
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
66
I RECEIVED from you last night the following telegram:- After the last fight near Castle Peak two Chinese banners were taken. were the inscriptions on them?
Do they go to came from beyond our boundary? required."
prove some part of the attacking force If that be so, give reason. Answer urgently
To which I sent the following reply:---
I have seen no such flags as those to which you refer, but there are two flags now with the Hong Kong Regiment at Kowloon, which should be examined. They were taken at the action at the Lam Tsun Pass. May saw them. A resident of Sham Chun confirms information that over 1,000 men from Chinese territory took part in fighting, and alleges that Major Fong, who was stationed at Sham Chun, must have known what was going on, and took no steps to stop the movement. This confirms
the Chinese letter already forwarded, stating you are allowed to complete your settled plans."
The two flags to which I refer were removed from here by mistake, without my having an opportunity of seeing them, but Mr. May, who has already seen them, will be able to decipher the inscriptions on them. They are with the Hong Kong Regiment at Kowloon.
(1) Small red flag.
Shui Tau (name of place). Hang Shing Temple.
(2) Ho Sheung Village.
Train Band sanction by Government.
Have (name of person who raised the train band).
(3) Tun Mun Sub-district (Castle Poak).
Train Band sanction by Government for protection. Victorious.
This message is urgent, and is to go through, taking priority of other messages.
From Is Excellency the Governor, Government House, to Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, Tai Po Hu.
After the last fight near Castle Peak two Chinese banners were taken. What were the inscriptions on them, and do they go to prove that some part of the attacking force came from beyond our boundary? If this be so, give reason. required.
Answer urgently
April 28, 1899.