CO129-289 - Individuals - 1898 — Page 31

bounded on the has been as from the first of July 1898 leased to as "999 years by for the tam H.M the Emperor of China' and whereas it is expedicat that the Said territor, should be annexed to and form part of our colony of Hongthong and it's defentencies we do dedare asure to be that from our pleasure our 26-9-0002--ESTZ8—-(x) 'I VA 4 11 h the date letters Patent" 貞 the said teritory shallie" dearmad and tablen to be " and shall be annexed to and from part of the said Colony of Hongtiong'

Add a clause that the letters patent shall be proclaimed by the Governor. The effect of

"

The Oin C. that Annerling 29 this would be, would it not to mathe the bearitory by implication Britis!. Soil and its residents British subjecte CPL 24 June

I think we must consult 7,0. and £10, as to whether the leased territing should be annered by Aider a. Council to thing. as it is, se for at the leheng H thing I knew, a rews Came levy

My pincin is that se leng as the lean lacks party with; Dominions and that the teisiting is partly it cheat by annerede te Staging putting ins the add the und A "}

"during the Continue unce з I don't think that the thefinbalene, the said lease which will I pre-camper meals h contained in the Convention, ask the exmini of prediction in the town miked what Kowloon neid te hepored to in the order in 7 bis Kewler k.M. 1866 L Griginal draft with Draft but it maghs necipany after the anxovatiin tu Less Erdinance firing offert to that stipulation aa cher Lockhart's Soft & Proclamation in the terms Mr Lockhart, draft might be ipad imuttering. with the Proclamatire other annoring advinkenne ? Write & 8.0. as above Enclosing draft lis in Cormeil * wheel must b a skeletin to be fills Instruments. up when es recein the terms of the Conventions and day that with Main Centomener in prepore & submers :s for approval of g 2.0. Ew 25 June 162576

Reconstructed Text

The territory bounded on the has been leased as from the first of July 1898 to us for 999 years by H.M. the Emperor of China. And whereas it is expedient that the said territory should be annexed to and form part of our Colony of Hong Kong and its dependencies, we do declare it to be our pleasure that from the date of these Letters Patent, the said territory shall be deemed and taken to be and shall be annexed to and form part of the said Colony of Hong Kong.

Add a clause that the Letters Patent shall be proclaimed by the Governor.

Discussion

The effect of annexing the territory would be to make it British soil and its residents British subjects.

I think we must consult the Law Officers as to whether the leased territory should be annexed by Order in Council.

My opinion is that as long as the lease lacks ratification by the Dominions and that the territory is partly occupied, it should not be annexed.

During the continuance of the said lease, which will expire... contained in the Convention, it is not clear what Kowloon needs to be reported to in the order in 7 bis Kewler k.M. 1866.

The original draft with draft Ordinance firing after the annexation to give effect to that stipulation is in Mr. Lockhart's draft Proclamation in the terms.

Write to S. of S. as above, enclosing draft Letters Patent in Council.

A skeleton draft of the Instruments to be filled up when we receive the terms of the Convention and draft that with the Main Commissioner in preparation for submission for approval of S. of S.

Dates and References

• 24 June
• 25 June
• 7 bis Kewler k.M. 1866
• XCR(85)72 is not present in the original text, hence not included.
• GR1178/1922/32(III) is not present in the original text, hence not included.