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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

C.O. 882

6

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

2929

(No. 67.) SIR,

148

No. 141.

COMMISSIONER LOCKHART to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Received January 22, 1903.)

[Copy to War Office, January 27, 1903, 2929: not printed.]

[Answered by No. 145.]

Government House, Port Edward, Wei-hai-Wei, December 15, 1902. WITH reference to the correspondence noted in the margin, I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of correspondence which has passed between Major

Commissioner's Despatches,

Na, 29 of 5th June, 1902.*

No, 38 of 31st July, 1902. †

No, 58 of 14th October, 1902.†

Colonial Office Despatch, No. 18 of the

4th June, 1902.†

Bruce, Officer Commanding Troops, and myself regarding the transfer to this Government of certain Non-Commissioned Officers of the Chinese Regiment, for Police duties.

2. In my previous despatches, referred to above, I recommended the engagement of two

Inspectors of Police and an Officer for Intelligence work.

3. It has not been possible to secure the services of Captain Johnson, the officer whom I wished to employ, but the Officer Commanding Troops has consented to the transfer of three Non-Commissioned Officers, two of whom will be stationed as Inspectors at Port Edward and on the Island of Liu Kung respectively, whilst the third will be detailed for Police and Intelligence work throughout the territory generally, and will especially devote his attention to keeping the central adminis- tration in touch with the headmen of the numerous villages through whom, as you are aware, the territory is policed.

4. My experience here shows conclusively that it would be impossible to carry on the work of administration with a smaller number than three Inspectors.

5. In the estimates for 1903-1904 provision has been made for two Inspectors and an Intelligence Officer.

The present arrangement will be more economical than that originally proposed, us. a salary of an Intelligence Officer is estimated at £430 a year, whilst a third Inspector's salary will be €175, rising to £200, with free quarters and fuel allow-

ance.

6. As you will see from the enclosed correspondence, the Officer Commanding Troops writes in high terms of the three Non-Commissioned Officers who are to be transferred.

7. All have had experience of this dependency. Both Sergeant-Major Young and Colour-Sergeant Whittaker have a fair acquaintance with the Chinese language, whilst Colour-Sergeant Purdon not only speaks that language well but has a know- ledge of the written character, qualifications which render him especially well fitted discharge the duties of Inspector and Intelligence Officer throughout the territory. 8. Colour-Sergeant Whittaker is now discharging the duties of Inspector on the island in place of Inspector Danson, who left at the end of last month.

As regards the other two Non-Commissioned Officers I informed the Officer Commanding Troops that I would not require their services until the 1st April next, when the financial year begins. But in view of the difficulties pointed out by Major Bruce, in his letter of the 13th December, I have told him that his proposal to transfer Sergeant-Major Young at the end of February seems a fair one." are funds available to pay his salary for the month of March.

There

With respect to Colour-Sergeant Purdon I trust the War Office will sanction the leave which Major Bruce is prepared to grant to him to complete his studies in Chinese at Peking, before he joins the service of this Government on the 1st April

next.

9. I regret that owing to the peculiar circumstances of the case I was not in a position to submit the arrangements to you in the first instance, but, convinced as I am that they are the most suitable and economical that could be made, I hope they will meet with your approval.

I have, &c.,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Commissioner.

• No. 102.

† 38511. 48542 and 20686 : not printed.

149

Enclosure 1 in No. 141.

From the OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS, Wei-hai-Wei, to His Honour His BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S COMMISSIONER, Wei-hai-Wei.

SIR,

Wei-hai-Wei, December 9, 1902.

In continuation of our correspondence on the subject of European Non-Com- missioned Officers from the Chinese Regiment for Colonial employment at Wei-hai- Wei, I now have the honour to forward, for your information, a copy of a War Ollice telegram received by me on December 6th last.

You will see that by it permission is granted for the employment of certain Non-Commissioned Officers whose services can be dispensed with, under what I under- stand to be the permanent garrison scheme.

You have already informed me you wished for the services of three European Non-Commissioned Officers, and I am able to offer you those of the following:-

Sergeant-Major Young, 42nd Royal Highlanders. Colour-Sergeant Purdon, Coldstream Guards. Colour-Sergeant Whittaker, Rifle Brigade.

All these Non-Commissioned Officers are steady, trustworthy men of exemplary character, and have served in the Chinese Regiment for the last three to four years.

I cannot speak too highly of the manner in which they have identified them- selves with the Chinese Regiment, and have toiled and worked during that time. I only trust that you will be as satisfied with their services as I am.

I have, &c.,

C. D. BRUCE, Major,

Chinese Regiment,

Officer Commanding Troops.

WAR OFFICE to General, Wei-hai-Wei. TELEGRAM.

(Sent December 6, 1902.)

Referring to your telegram 21st November, 1st Chinese Regiment will be reduced to four companies, remainder available for selection by Civil Commissioner; re- engagement should not be permitted which would lead to an excess of establishment beyond these four companies.

SIR,

Enclosure 2 in No. 141.

The COMMISSIONER to the OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS, Wei-hai-Wei.

(No. 114.)

Government House, Port Edward, December 10, 1902.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, forwarding me a copy of a telegram from the War Office and informing me that you are able to offer me the services of the following Non-Commissioned Officers :-

Sergeant-Major Young. Colour-Sergeant Purdon. Colour-Sergeant Whittaker.

2. In reply, I beg to state that I am willing to accept the services of the Non- Commissioned Officers mentioned on the following terms:-

The engagement to be for a period of five years; the salary to be £175 a year, rising to £200 a year by an increment of £10 a year at the end of the first two years, and of £15 a year at the end of the fourth year; free quarters and an allowance of £16 a year for fuel and light.

3. I shall be glad to know if the Non-Commissioned Officers in question are willing to accept these terms, so that I may report the matter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for his formal approval.