CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 373

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recapitulation of the provisions of the Convention

of June 9th, and as such are quite superfluous.

But they appear also to be an attempt on the part

of

the Viceroy to supplement the terms of the Con-

vention by assuming to treat the leased territory as

if it were a "settlement" at a Chinese Treaty port,

to deal with questions of piracy, to provide for

the payment of land tax to the Chinese Authorities,

and to stipulate for the fixing of rents.

Lord Salisbury considers that none of these pre-

tensions are admissible, and that no Chinese Regula-

tions are required in the new extension.

All that

C

Her Majesty's Minister at Peking was authorized, after

communication with your Department, and previous to

the inclusion of Mirs Bay in the lease, to promise

the energetic enforcement by the Colonial Authorities

of existing arrangements for the prevention of smug-

gling.

Lord Salisbury is of opinion that this is a mat-

ter for arrangement between the Chinese Imperial Mari-

time Customs Service and the Government of Hongkong,

and that the good offices of Her Majesty's Legation at

Peking might be employed with a view to arriving at a

speedy and satisfactory Agreement.

I am,

it is necessary for the Viceroy to do is to appoint

officials to make the necessary surveys for fixing

the exact boundaries in conjunction with British

Officials deputed for the same purpose in conformity

with the terms of the Convention.

A further matter, viz: the protection of the Chinese

Custome Revenue, is also dealt with. There is no

stipulation on the subject in the Convention, but

Her

Your most obedient,

humble Servant,

MASanderson

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