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3. That the leased area should be extended to the south to include Gap Rock Island. on which the lighthouse to the western approach is situated. This would secure to us the islands of Lema, whose occupation by another Power would be extremely undesirable, and remove the danger that exists at present of the light at Gap Rock being extinguished to our injury. The annexation of Gap Rock Island was recommended by the General Officer Commanding at Hong Kong in 1894, by the Joint Naval and Military Committee on Defence in their Report XVII. of the 13th May, 1895, and by the Colonial Defence Committee in their recent Memorandum, No. 139 M., dated 28th April, 1898.

4. That we should extend the western boundary of the leased area up to the Middle Channel of the West River, so as to ensure that the islands dominating the approach to Canton do not fall into the possession of another Power.

10053.

No. 125.

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Received April 22, 1899.)

(No. 73.)

[Answered by No. 144.]

•

SIR,

Government House, Hong Kong, March 24, 1899. In continuation of my despatch, No. 66, of the 17th instant, I have the honour to transmit for your information copy of a further letter from Mr. Stewart Lockhart and of its enclosures relative to the completion of the delimitation of the northern boundary to the new territory.

Credit is due to Mr. Lockhart for having arranged a satisfactory provisional boundary line, but I am addressing Her Majesty's Minister at Peking with a view of obtaining an extension which will include the towns of Sham Chun and Sha Tau kok.

I have, &c.,

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Enclosure in No. 125.

Governor, &c.

'| 'ग 'ध

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

C.O. 882

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

(No. 16.)

SIR,

Colonial Secretary's Office, March 20, 1899.

I HAVE the honour to report that, accompanied by Mr. Ormsby. Director of Public Works, I left for Mirs Bay on Thursday last, the 16th, to delimit the boundary of the new territory leased to Great Britain by China.

2. I was met on the morning of the 17th instant at Starling Inlet by the officer deputed by the Chinese Government to carry out the work of delimitation on behalf of China.

3. The delimitation was completed on the 18th instant on which day I returned to

Hong Kong.

On the 19th instant I met the officer deputed by the Chinese Government and we both signed the enclosed memorandum, which clearly defines the boundaries of the new territory.

I attach a sketch map on which the boundary defined in the memorandum referred to above is indicated. This map has been prepared by Mr. Ormsby, Director of Public Works, who has been of great assistance to me in settling a satisfactory boundary.

5. I had a final interview with Mr. Wong, the Chinese representative, to-day, and I enclose a copy of the discussion which took place between us.

His Excellency

Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G., Governor of Hong Kong.

I have, &c.,

J. H. STEWART ›ÏOCKHART.

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