CO129-449 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [7-9] — Page 209

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COP

sir.

Enclosure 1.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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The Neglect of the Islands and Islanders

(To the Editor of the "Hongkong Daily Press")

206

Piracy and murder, fires, robberies, typhoons,

and now murder, arson and suicide! How many more such dis-

asters are necessary to arouse the Government of Hongkong,

Executive and Legislative, Official and Unofficial, to a sense

of their neglect of the Islands and Islandera, to which the

gracious protection of the British Empire was extended some 20

years ago

During that period the Police Stations at Tai

0, Tung Cheung, Cheung Chau and Lamma have been crying in vain

for electrical communication with Headquarters and each other.

Had it not been for the fortuitous arrival of

the Police Launch at Tai O in time to save the lives of the

family of the Sergeant whose deplorable murder has shocked the

Colony, a triple tragedy would have occurred.

It is to be hoped that the new District Officer

(South) will display a little more interest in his District

than his poetical and laissez faire predecessors, His persua-

sive eloquence, combined with the magnetio influence of the

D.S.P. (R) should surely be sufficient to persuade a Carsonite

Governor, Canny Treasurer. Dilatory Director and Birrellian

C.S.P. of the value of that rara avis the uncombed-out Police

Officer, and of the crying needs of the distressful Islande.

The plea of expense is unavailing with an

overflowing Treasury.

Hongkong, July 18th. 1917,

Yours truly,

WIRELESS.