CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8] — Page 472

15

461

telegraphed you today, I have borrowed 20 men of the

King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: these have been

sworn in as special constables and I have placed a00

of them at Cheung Chau to strengthen the station.

i have also purchased a steam launch at a cost of

15000 and fitted her at a cost of $3000 for the

accommodation on board of police. This launch will

very materially strengthen the patrol of the wester

waters of the Colony: she will be based at the isolated

and most westerly station, Tai 0, in the island of

Lan Tau. À Laxim gun will be mounted on her.

8.

I propose to bring before the Executive Council

the question of the responsibility of the Captain

Superintendant of Police for the unguarded state in

which the station was left. I shall report the result

to you in due course.

9.

I learned yesterday morning that, on the night

of the 28 th inst. a band of 60 armed robbers had

raided the station of the Chinese Laritime Custome

&

at Lofong: had tied up the 2 uropean officers

the Chinese excise officers and had carried away all

the arms and ammmition in the station. Lofong is

situated on the frontier opposite the police block-

-house at Ta Ku Long where & Indian polico are

stationed. These probably owed their immunity from

attack from the fact that the station is visited

twice in the night by a military patrol, for which

I am indebted to the Military Authorities.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

Атаг

Goverior.ão.