CO882-(4-5) — Page 550

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

سسس

C.O. 882

5

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE | BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

132

The northern boundary commences at the point of high water-mark in Mirs Bay where the meridian of 114° 30' east cuts the land and follows that high water-mark to the point marked with a peg immediately to the west of the market town locally known as Tung Wo Hu and sometimes called Sha Tau kok. It then proceeds straight inland for a short distance till it meets a narrow path between fields on the right and a tidal flat on the left. A peg was driven in to the east of the path, and it was agreed that the whole of the path is within British territory, but may be used by the inhabitants of both countries. The line follows this path until it reaches a corner of the market town of Tung Wo Hu where another peg was driven in and then proceeds until it comes to the bed of a wide stream, which is at present dry. It was agreed that the boundary should follow the centre of this river bed. The land to the right of the river, that is, the land on the left bank being within Chinese territory; the land to the left of the river, that is, the land on the right bank being within British territory. This line along the middle of the river's bed continues until a road leading to the village Kang Hau is reached. A peg was driven in at the point where the boundary line leaves the river and follows this road. It was agreed that the whole of the road is within British territory but may be used by the inhabitants of both countries. This road lends up a steep ravine, crossing and re-crossing the stream. It was agreed that the waters of this stream, whether within the British or the Chinese boundary, should be available for the inhabitants of both countries. This road passes through a gap about 500 feet above sea level, forming the dividing ridge between the Sha Tau kok and Sham Chun valleys. The boundary was marked at this point with a peg. It was agreed that the road from this gap should be the boundary and is within British territory but may used by the inhabitants of both countries. This road passes down the right hand side of the ravine, and has a stream on the left running to Kang To. At the foot of the ravine this road crosses & larger stream coming from the direction of Ng Tung Shan, and re-crosses it within a distance of 100 yards. This road passes Kang To village on the right and reaches the Sham Chun river at a distance of about a quarter of a mile below Kang To. It was agreed that up to this point this road is within British territory, but may be used by the inhabitants of both countries. It was also agreed that the waters of the stream running from Ng Tang Shan, referred to above, should be available for cultivators of land in both territories. A peg was driven in to mark the point where this road, as a boundary, ended. The boundary then follows the right or northern bank of the river generally known as the Sham Chun river down to Deep Bay, all the river and the land to the south being within British territory. The western, eastern and southern boundaries are as laid down in the Convention, the whole of the island of Lantao being within British territory. The waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay are included in the area leased to Great Britain.

Signed in the Council Chamber, Hong Kong, this 19th day of March, 1899.

J. H. STEWArt Lockhart. (Chinese Characters.)

i.e., WONG TSUN SHIN.

In the presence of

T8OI YEUK SHAN. (Chinese Characters.) i.e., KI WAI.

INTERVIEW between Mr. STEwart LockhaRT and Mr. WONG TSÜN SHIN, held on the 19th March, 1899.

be

Mr. Wong called upon Mr. Stewart Lockhart at 10 a.m. ou the 19th March 1899, when an interview was held in the Council Chamber.

Mr. S. L. read over a memorandum in which are described the boundaries of the Extension of the Colony, with which Mr. Wong Tsun Shin agreed. The memorandum was then signed by Mr. Stewart Lockhart and Mr. Wong Tsun Shin in the presence of Mr. Tsoi Yeuk Shan and Mr. Ki Wai.

Mr. W. My reason for not adhering strictly to the straight line marked on the map sent by the Tsung Li Yamnen is that that line bisects villages and crosses and re- crosses the Sham Chim river in such a way that troubles would most certainly arise if such a line were taken as the boundary. To prevent troubles hereafter, I have agreed to the best natural boundary which clearly divides Chinese from British territory. I

133

hope you will let the British Minister in Pekin know these facts, so that he may inform the Tsung Li Yamên what has been done, and the reasons for fixing the boundary agreed upon. Perhaps the Tsung Li Yamên will make objections.

Mr. S. L.: I do not think the Tsung Li Yamên will raise any objection to the boundary we have delimited, especially when it hears from our Minister at Peking that we desire a more extended boundary, including Sham Chun, than we have fixed.

Mr. Wong: Perhaps the San On Magistrate may report that we have not adhered to the line marked on the Tsung Li Yamen map.

Mr. S. L. For his own sake, I hope he will not make any report, for, if he does, it will be my disagreeable duty to inform his Government, through the proper channel, that he showed so much ignorance of the district under his charge, that it is evident he has never even visited many parts of it. Such a report might result in his degradation from office.

Mr. W.: My object in telling you my reasons for agreeing to the line fixed is that I hope you concur in my views.

Mr. S. L. Certainly I do. At our very first-interview told you that the line marked on the Tsung Li Yamên map could not possibly be followed. I also intend to inform my Government that you, whilst protecting the interests of China, have at the same time shown a most friendly disposition towards Great Britain.

Mr. W. Thank you. I hope the Hong Kong Government will not order the removal of the Customs through the Canton Authorities, but have the removal effected through Pekin.

Mr. S. L. I presume that matter will be arranged through Pekin.

Mr. W.: I understand that the Customs must move because, when the territory comes under the jurisdiction of Great Britain, the Customs will not be able to collect duties within it.

Mr. S. L. That is so. I think the Commissioner of Customs at Kau lung understands that he has to move. With regard to Kau lung city, I wish you to under- stand that no soldiers can be allowed to remain within it.

Mr. W. No soldiers will remain there, but some officers will still reside in the city.

Mr. S. L.: What officers?

Mr. W. A colonel, a captain, and a sub-district deputy-magistrate.

Mr. S. L. What is the use of having officers in the city when there are no soldiers and hardly any inhabitants over whom to exercise jurisdiction? Why should they not remove at once?

Mr. W. They will, I think, remove eventually, but at present they have no quarters. You need not be anxious about their removal. They are certain to go to some other place where it will be easier for them to discharge their duties.

Mr. S. L. I have previously explained to you the opium scheme.

Mr. W. I will point out the advantages of the echeine to the Viceroy of Canton. Mr. S. L.: I should be glad if the Chinese Government would consider it care- fully, and let this Government know its views on the subject.

Mr. W. That will be done. I have brought with me the draft of the notification which the magistrate of the San On district is about to issue, informing the inhabitants of the boundary agreed upon, and warning them not to create trouble.

Mr. S. L.: think the wording in the notification is not quite clear as to the boundary.

Mr. Wong: You can make any alterations you deem necessary.

Mr. S. L. (after altering the clause in the notification regarding the boundary): I think the notification is now satisfactory.*

Mr. W. (after reading the alterations): Yes, I agree.

Mr. S. L. I will show the notification to His Excellency the Governor, and communicate with you later. It will be necessary to have another notice for the Islands within the new territory.

Mr. W. I will have one drawn up, and show you the draft before it is issued. The interview then ended.

• Translation of notification attached.

1