CO882-(4-5) — Page 491

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

5

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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fully trusted and not hampered by too many laws and restrictions. Everything dependi on his common sense and power of influencing the inhabitants of the district.

21623.

I have, &c.,

W. BLACK,

Major General, Administering the Government.

No. 30.

ACTING-GOVERNOR BLACK to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Confidential.)

SIB,

(Received September 26, 1898.)

Government House, Hong Kong, August 27, 1898. In my letter of this date, on the government of the newly-leased territory, I argued in favour of only very gradually bringing in our laws and customs, because a premature attempt to override the habits of this conservative people would surely bring about friction and a distaste for our rule.

I therefore recommended the retention of the present administrative system, presided over by a Commissioner or Resident possessing intelligence, common sense, and a knowledge of the Chinese character.

Casting about in my own mind for the local man, I early pitched upon the Colonial Secretary, Mr. J. Stewart Lockhart, as the man I would appoint if the decision lay with me. Without being a sinologue, be knows and appreciates the Chinese, and is liked by them; he has an open mind, and is by no means wanting in decision of character.

Having once chosen a Resident, I beg leave to recommend that he be allowed a very free hand, as, until the principle of our rule becomes known, a personal fatherly Govern- ment accords best with the habits of this people.

I have recently received from Dr. Ho Kai and Mr. Wei-A-Yuk, Chinese members of the Legislative Council, a petition from the leading Chinese inhabitants of the newly- leased territory praying for the appointment of Mr. Stewart Lockhart. I need hardly say that my own choice is solely from personal observation.

I have, &c.,

W. BLACK,

Major-General, Officer Administering Government.

Enclosure in No. 30.

(Translation.)

To the Honourable

The Unofficial Representatives.

GENTLEMEN,

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August, 1898. WE, the undersigned members of the Tung Ping Kuk and Tat Tak Sieh, viz., Tang Ying sang and Chang Chi-Lap, officers expectant; Tang Yui Sun, lat literary degree; Tang sing Tan, 1st military degree; and Tang Ching, member of the Imperial College, and the leading inhabitants of the various villages in the district of Sun On in the Empire of China, wishing earnestly to be brought under a proper government, do hereby respectfully request you to represent to the Authorities on our behalf the subject matter of this communication.

The territory in which we live has now been leased to Great Britain, and some days back Mr. Lockhart was specially sent out by the British Government to make a personal survey and examination. Mr. Lockhart has commenced his official tour of inspection, and has come amongst us bringing with him peace and goodwill. All along the route, we, both old and young, have received him with open arms and great rejoicing, as we were glad to have the opportunity of beholding him, for whom we have long cherished sentiments of admiration and regard. Indeed, we received him with as much respect as if he were our parent, and with as great a joy as if he were a refreshing shower descending after a prolonged drought.

Mr. Lockhart has been for a long time in the Civil Service of Hong Kong, and has earned a great reputation for rectitude and ability. In addition, he has a thorough know- ledge and acquaintance of the manners, customs, and feelings of the natives, and if he were appointed by the British Government to administer the newly acquired territory and to rule over us, we feel sure that we would derive thereby the greatest benefit and blessing.

For this reason, we are induced to make known our wishes and hope to you, with the request that you be so good as to inform His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong of our intense desire to have over us a competent and considerate ruler, and to pray His Excellency, on our behalf, to convey to the Home Government our prayer for the appoint- ment of Mr. Lockhart to be Administrator of the new territory, so that we may have the satisfaction of receiving an improved and more enlightened Government.

We are, &c.,

TANG UT P'o, TANG SHU LEUNG, TANG ME-SHING, TANG PONG KIT, Tang Kat WAN,

&c., &c.

SIR,

Hong Kong, August 22, 1898.

We have the honour to forward for your Excellency's perusal and consideration a Chinese letter (a free translation of which is hereto annexed), which has been sent to us by the leading Chinese inhabitants of the numerous villages in the newly-leased territory adjacent to British Kowloon.

The letter speaks for itself, and we, in our representative capacity, need only to add to it our strong recommendation to the kind and favourable consideration of your Excellency and of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to whom we venture to hope that your Excellency would be good enough to communicate the subject matter under correspondence at an early date.

To His Excellency

21714.

We have, &c.,

HO KAI, WEI AYUE,

Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council representing the Chinese.

SIB,

દ

Major-General Wilsone Black, C.B., Officer Administering the Government,

&c

&c.

&c.

And here follów 253 other signatures, being those of the elders and leading inhabitants of the following villages:-Pengshan, Ha chun, Lung ni tau, Ugan hom, Sha' kong, Mong taing, Tai taing, Wang chau, Shan ha, Ko'-kum fat, Lung ku tau, Pat heung tung, Un long tung, Nam wan.

No. 31.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received September 27, 1898.)

[Answered by No. 33.]

Foreign Office, September 26, 1898.

THE Marquess of Salisbury has had under his consideration your letter of the 26th ultimo, No. 18729/98," relative to the Draft Order in Council for the incorporation

• No. 29.

• No. 21.