CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8] — Page 69

CONFIDENTIA L.

ཤམྦ《g71jp

67

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG, 8th. July, 1912.

ہینگے

Sir,

I have the honour to confirm ir. Claud Severn's

206/8 telegram of 3rd. July which was to the following effect:-

nclosure 1. (A) & (B).

Los

79844

Bonner

With reference to your telegram of lst. July Government

of Hongkong raised no difficulties but first supply of labourers for British North Borneo on arrival at Hongkong from Amoy refused absolutely to proceed: despatch follows by mail.

2.

After a prolonged absence at Amoy Mr. Young Riddell arrived here towards the end of last month with 90-100 coolies of an inferior type. Before however he could arrange for their shipment to Borneo the telegrams of which copies are enclosed arrived and the labourers then refused to proceed, although they had previously consented to do so. ilo reason was assigned for this change of attitude beyond a general statement that the Borneo climate was not suitable for them. Eventually Kr. Young Riddell arranged for six men to go to Forneo to see the country and report. Ilothing further has transpired and in the meantime Mr. Young Riddell has gone to Peking.

3.

No difficulties have been raised by the Hong-

E RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, K.P.,

&C..

&C..

&C...

-kong