CO882-(4-5) — Page 513

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

68

Letter addressed to the COMMITTEE OF THE GUILD OF SILK AND PINE Goods Dealers.

Reply to Mr. Po Shan.

In reply to your letter received the other day, we beg to inform you that at a meeting of members of this trade, everyone expressed the opinion that the matter in question cannot be said to have no detrimental effects to trade. Moreover, Hong Kong is a British possession, and the Government has its plans. Whether it should or should not be done we dare not discuss. The original letter is herewith returned, and we ask that you will kindly inform those concerned.

6th moon, 22nd day.

THE GUILD OF PINE GOODS AND SILK Goods Dealers.

Letter to the COTTON YARN DEALERS' GUILD.

Keply to Mr. Po SHAN.

In reply to your letter received the other day, informing us that the Kowloon Commissioner of Customs wished to establish his Custom House in this Colony instead, for the purpose of levying duties, and asking if that would interfere with the trade of the Colony, we beg to inform you that we have called a meeting to discuss the matter, and everyone said it would be detrimental to trade. Will you kindly have this reported (to the authorities ?)

Μυ year, 6th moon, 26th day.

23326.

SIR,

No. 41.

COTTON YARN DEALERS' FIRMS.

LAW OFFICERS TO COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received October 17, 1898.)

Royal Courts of Justice,

October 17, 1898. We were honoured with your commands, signified to us in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter of the 11th instant, stating that he was directed by you to transmit to us a copy of a draft proclamation which had been prepared for the purpose of annexing to the colony of Hong Kong certain territories leased to Her Majesty by the Emperor

of China.

That it would be seen from the Convention of the 9th June, 1898† (a copy of which was enclosed in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter), that the limits of British territory in the regions in question, adjacent to the colony of Hong Kong, were described as being enlarged under lease to Her Majesty for the term of 99 years.

That the Draft Order in Council had been framed on the model of a similar Order dated February 4th, 1861‡ (a copy of which was transmitted to us), which had been previously approved by the Law Officers on January 21st of that year. (A copy of their Reports of that date was enclosed in Mr. Bertrain Cox's letter.)

That it would be seen from the Order in Council of February 4th, 1861, that the territories then annexed to the colony of Hong Kong, though originally leased to Mr. Harry Parkes, had subsequently, prior to the date of the Order in Council, been ceded by the Emperor of China to Her Majesty to hold as a dependency of the colony of Hong Kong. That, in the present case, the territory proposed to be annexed is only held by Her Majesty on lease for 99 years.

That it was not proposed in the present Order in Council to define the boundaries of the lands leased. That this was a matter which, as would appear from the terms of the Convention, must be dealt with subsequently.

That Mr. Bertram Cox was to request us to take these papers into our consideration and to advise you

69

1. Whether the terms of the Draft Order in Council were sufficient and proper for the purpose proposed.

2. If not, what amendments should be made therein.

We have taken the papers into our consideration, and, in obedience to your commands, have the honour to

Report-

That the Draft Order in Council, as amended and initialled by us, is sufficient and proper for the purpose proposed.

We have, &c.,

RICHARD E. WEBSTER. ROBERT B. FINLAY.

The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P.,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

Whereas, by a Convention dated the 9th day of June. 1898, between Her Majesty and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, it is provided that the limits of British territory in the regions adjacent to the colony of Hong Kong shall be enlarged under lease to Her Majesty in the manner described in the said Convention.

And whereas it is expedient to make provision for the government of the territories acquired by Her Majesty under the said Convention during the continuance of the said

lease.

It is hereby ordered by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, as follows:--

I. The territories within the limits and for the term described in the said Convention shall be, and the same are hereby declared to be part and parcel of Her Majesty's colony of Hong Kong, in like manner and for all intents and purposes as if they had originally formed part of the said colony.

II. It shall be competent for the Governor of Hong Kong, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of the said colony, to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the said territories as part of the colony.

III. From a date to be fixed by proclamation of the Governor of Hong Kong, all laws and ordinances which shall at such date be in force in the colony of Hong Kong shall take effect in the said territories and shall remain in force therein until the same shall have been altered or repealed by Her Majesty or by the Governor of Hong Kong by and with the advice or consent of the Legislative Council.

IV. Notwithstanding anything herein contained the Chinese officials now stationed within the city of Kowloon shall continue to exercise jurisdiction therein, except in

so far as may be inconsistent with the military requirements for the defence of Hong Kong.

And the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein accordingly.

R. E. W.

22643.

SIB,

No. 42.

R. B. F.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Downing Street, October 26, 1898. WITH reference to previous correspondence regarding the extension of the Colony of Hong Kong, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquess of Salisbury, a copy of a despatch, with one enclosure, received from the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong, upon the subject of the future position of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs in connection with the exten- sion of the boundaries of that Colony.

I am, &c.,

C. P. LUCAS.

•

22,571; not printed.

† No. 14, see also p. 53,

‡ Not printed.

No. 52 in Vol. I. of Law Officers" Opinions.

• No. 39.