CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4] — Page 672

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

652

By general desire the day was proclaimed a public holiday and large numbers of the inhabitants of Hong Kong of all classes intended to be present.

12. All this time Mr. Lockhart was assured by Chinese to whom he looked for information that the people were all anxious that we should take over the territory, a few of the gentry alone being antagonistic.

13. On the 14th, Mr. Lockhart received information from an inhabitant of Taipohu that the matsheds were quite unprotected, and as there were rowdies about it would be well to have them occupied lest some mischievous person should burn them. As it was intended that the 25 police to be stationed there, with a company of the Hong Kong Regiment should march over on Saturday the 15th to have things in readiness for the ceremony of hoisting the flag, I determined to send the police in at once by launch. When they arrived they found a heap of smouldering ruins. They returned and reported the matter, and, still under the impression that the burning of the matsheds was simply an act of wanton mischief, I directed the police to return next morning, taking tents, and also the company of the Hong Kong Regiment with instructions that they were to hire some coolies and have the debris cleared away. It was evident that the Viceroy had not afforded the protection in accordance with his undertaking; but the cost of the matshed was a comparatively unimportant matter.

14. On the arrival of the police and troops

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QU 652 By general desire the day was proclaimed a public holiday and large numbers of the inhabitants of Hong Kong of all classes intended to be present. 12. All this time Mr. Lockhart was assured by Chinese to whom he looked for information that the people were all anxious that we should take over the territory, a few of the gentry alone being antagonistic. 13. On the 14th, Mr. Lockhart received information from an inhabitant of Taipohu that the matsheds were quite unprotected, and as there were rowdies about it would be well to have them occupied lest some mischievous person should burn them. As it was intended that the 25 police to be stationed there, with a company of the Hong Kong Regiment should march over on Saturday the 15th to have things in readiness for the ceremony of hoisting the flag, I determined to send the police in at once by launch. When they arrived they found a heap of smouldering ruins. They returned and reported the matter, and, still under the impression that the burning of the matsheds was simply an act of wanton mischief, I directed the police to return next morning, taking tents, and also the company of the Hong Kong Regiment with instructions that they were to hire some coolies and have the debris cleared away. It was evident that the Viceroy had not afforded the protection in accordance with his undertaking; but the cost of the matshed was a comparatively unimportant matter. 14. On the arrival of the police and troops

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QU 652 By general desire the day was proclaimed a public holiday and large numbers of the inhabitants of HongKong of all classes intended to be present. 12. All this time Mr. Lockhart was as- sured by Chinese to whom he looked for information that the people were all anxious that we should take over the territo- ry, a few of the gentry alone being antagonistic. 13. On the 14th. Mr. Lockhart received information from an inhabitant of Taipohu that the matsheds were quite unprotected, and as there were rowdies about it would be well to have them occupied lest some mischievous per -son should burn them. As it was intended that the 25 police to be stationed there, with a company of the HongKong Regi- ment should march over on Saturday the 15th. to have things in readiness for the ceremony of hoisting the flag I determi- ned to send the police in at once by launch. When they arri- ved they found a heap of smouldering ruins. They returned and reported the matter, and, still under the impression that the burning of the mat sheds was simply an act of wanton mischief I directed the police to return next morning, taking tents, and also the company of the HongKong Regiment with instruc- tions that they were to hire some coolies and have the debris cleared away. It was evident that the Viceroy had not afford- ed the protection in accordance with his undertaking; but the cost of the matshed was a comparatively unimportant matter. 14. On the arrival of the police and troops

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652

By general desire the day was proclaimed a public holiday and

large numbers of the inhabitants of HongKong of all classes

intended to be present.

12. All this time Mr. Lockhart was as-

sured by Chinese to whom he looked for information that the

people were all anxious that we should take over the territo-

ry, a few of the gentry alone being antagonistic.

13.

On the 14th. Mr. Lockhart received

information from an inhabitant of Taipohu that the matsheds

were quite unprotected, and as there were rowdies about it

would be well to have them occupied lest some mischievous per

-son should burn them. As it was intended that the 25 police

to be stationed there, with a company of the HongKong Regi-

ment should march over on Saturday the 15th. to have things

in readiness for the ceremony of hoisting the flag I determi-

ned to send the police in at once by launch. When they arri-

ved they found a heap of smouldering ruins. They returned and

reported the matter, and, still under the impression that the

burning of the mat sheds was simply an act of wanton mischief

I directed the police to return next morning, taking tents,

and also the company of the HongKong Regiment with instruc- tions that they were to hire some coolies and have the debris cleared away. It was evident that the Viceroy had not afford- ed the protection in accordance with his undertaking; but the cost of the matshed was a comparatively unimportant matter.

CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4] — Page 672

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