CO129-369 - Acting Governor May Governor Sir Lugard - 1910 [10-11] — Page 136

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Tsai P'o (613 +$ ) and two other persons belonging to

Nam Tau (Bg), all three being Chinese subjects, claim-

-od the right to fish on and around Swallow Rock, and

warned off other junks fishing in the vicinity of the

island. Ch'an Kung-po stated that his father bought the

rock 50 years ago, that he paid rent on it to the Chinese

Magistrate at Nam Tau, and that the annual value of the

fish caught off the rock varied between $1,000 and $2,000.

He produced for the inspection of the Land Court a "red"

transfer deed for the fishing rights, and Mr. Clementi

recommended that the then holders of the fishery should be

granted an annual licence by this Government at a reason-

-able fee. The fee approved by Sir Matthew Nathan was

$10 per annum.

3.

However, in November, 1904, Mr.

Messer reported that, as the British boundary ran along

the highwater mark of the Lantao Coast, the Swallow Rock,

although within the 3 mile limit, was not included in the

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area leased to Great Britain and that the Officials of the

Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs had declared that this

Government had no right to licence junks even at Tai 0, as

they stated that the waters of Tai O harbour were under

Chinese jurisdiction.

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