CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4] — Page 743

COP Y.

Tue 25 in Av

725

H. E.'s instructions to Hon. Col. Secy. as to present administration of Kowloon Extensions

I have received your reports of the 18th, 19th, and 20th instants. The situation now appears to have cleared for the present, and it will be very important that the villagers shall be induced to return to their cultivations. I have arranged that the troops shall be withdrawn for the present with the exception of 200 men who will be left by the G.O.C. at Tai-po-hui as Head Quarters with instructions to afford assistance to the Civil Power when requisitioned. I propose that the stations at Tai-po-hui and in the neighbourhood of Kau Lung be proceeded with at once, and that 25 or 30 policemen be stationed at each place. A Military party will be supplied at the station at Kau Lung in support of the police during its construction. It will now be your duty to endeavour to carry out the general policy for the administration of the district, leaving nothing undone to get confidence. Distribute copies of the remarks in Chinese that have been prepared for distribution, and let it be known that persons who resume their occupations will not be interfered with.

If