CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4] — Page 803

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It is said that Jr. Lockhart had taken his photograph. Now at the failure of forming the society, he is willing to give information to arrest the rebel Chung. The Chinese officials agreed to forgive him his offence.

5. The reason why the headman Chung Shui Gung put up the flag, was to solicit money from the rich families and extort the villages. The formation of the society was a method of future blackmail. He had, by means of sending a demanding letter, demanded a sum of $20,000 from the Ping Shan village. He had also, by the same means, demanded a sum of $3,000 from the Tai Chung village. Both of these places disobeyed and refused to pay. As many as Shum Chun, Chung Chi Lung and others had followed his example. Each man solicited by them to join the society was to pay $2. They had looted the shops of the San Tin and Lok Ma Chau villages, and the ransom demanded from each shop ranged from $5 to $10. Punishment was meted out to shops which had not paid the ransom. The money collected was distributed among them. On hearing of the arrival of the soldiers, they immediately dispersed.

4. The reason for putting up the flag by the headmen Chung and Cheung, was not due to the possession of territory by England. The evidence proved that the people of the shops in the markets and towns were very much displeased with the villagers, especially those of Kam Tin village. Owing to the fact that though the owners of the property in the neighbourhood of Kam Tin village hold deeds, they have to pay taxes to the said village. If England got the place, it is probable that the benefit will be deprived. The shops and houses of the Lok Ma Chau village have also got to pay their taxes every year. It is like the way Government charges taxes.

5. The weapons and rifles of the rebels were not many. Some were smuggled from Sha Kok Tsui, Kowloon, and others were swords and the like which were made by the native blacksmiths on commission, or muskets made by foreign countries.

6. In the 11th and the 12th moons last year, Tang Ying Shang, Ng Shui Shang and Tong Kun had been there with a view of purchasing lands. They had bought land in the 5th and 6th moons and in the beginning of the 7th moon this year. It was found out now that most of the purchased lands were in Tai Po market, and some were also bought in the foot of Ching Shan (Green Hill) and in the neighbourhood of Kap Shum Tau and Cheung Sha Wan.

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