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    {
        "id": 277995,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-137 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [4-5]",
        "page_number": 9,
        "title": "CO129-137 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [4-5]",
        "content_text": "For 584040/boy \n\n7 \n\n# FUNERAL OF THE LATE MAJOR-GENERAL BRUNKER. \n\nOn 27th March, the remains of the late Major-General Brunker, Commander of H.M. Forces in China and Japan, and Lieutenant-Governor of Hongkong, were interred in the Cemetery at the Happy Valley, with full military honours. The procession was marshalled on the Parade Ground, and started punctually at half-past three. A field battery, in charge of Capt. Carey, commanding R.A., led the way, and then, to the solemn strains of the \"Dead March in Saul,\" the 75th Regiment moved slowly into the Queen's-road and towards the Cemetery. They were followed by the band of their regiment, and that of the 29th Native Infantry. Then came the coffin, placed upon a gun-carriage, and covered with the national ensign, the Pall bearers consisting of Colonel Gore, Commandant, Doctor Heffernan, Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, Colonel De Butts, Commanding R.E., Commodore Jones, R.N., the Hon. J. Gardiner Austin, and Captain Raby, R.N. Following next to them, according to a touching custom in military funerals, the General's old charger was led by two soldiers of the 75th, and immediately behind were His Excellency the Governor, Captain Maxwell, D.A.A.G., Captain Shaw D.A.Q.M.G., and Captain Thompson, A.D.C., the Chief Mourners. The members of the Executive Council came next, and after them, the 29th Regiment Native Infantry, followed by a large number of English, American and other Naval Officers, and, finally by the Civil Servants of the Colony, who were all in attendance, and a large number of private gentlemen.\n\nThe crowd at the Parade Ground was very large, and the road to the Cemetery was nearly the whole length lined with spectators. The procession slowly wended its way in time to the music, broken by the booming of the minute guns; and passing the Guard House turned to the Praya, and marched by that route to the Cemetery. The hills surrounding the Wong-nei-chong valley were covered with spectators. On reaching the Cemetery, the soldiers of both regiments were told off on either side of the road, leaning upon their reversed muskets. The remainder of the procession followed the coffin to the Chapel, while the soldiers took up their position outside the grave destined to receive the mortal remains of their late commander. The service was impressively read by the Rev. Canon Beach, assisted by the Revds. J. Piper and Kyle; and the coffin was then brought out and borne to its last resting place. As it was lowered into the grave, the men of the 75th fired three volleys, which were answered by the minute guns hard by; and the impressive ceremony being closed, the troops were marshalled, and the procession returned homewards.\n\nIn addition to those mentioned as taking part in the ceremony, a large number of persons of distinction were present, among whom were Rear Ad. Rowan U.S.N. and Capts. Roe and English U.S.N.; the Hon J. Smale, Chief-Justice of Hongkong; Sir Edmund Hornby, Chief Judge of the Supreme Court for China and Japan; Mons. Du Chesne, Consul for France, Mr. Helland, Danish Consul, and Mr. Overbeck, Austrian Consul, in their official uniforms; Mr. Pollard Q.C., Mr. Hayllar, Dr. Murray, Colonial Surgeon, and others. The 29th Regiment were under the command of Major Ritherdon, Capt. Grant, and Adjutant Prendergast. Captain-Superintendent Deane, who took command of the Police, did good service, and was ably seconded by Mr. Assistant Superintendent Creagh, who took charge of the Sikh, and by Deputy Superintendent Jarman, who was also very busy.\n\nOn Sunday the Rev. Canon Beach, in the course of his sermon at the Cathedral, made a touching allusion to the death of the late Major-General. The Revd. Gentleman observed that, although the Cathedral was not the place to eulogise the dead, he thought he would be expected to allude for one moment to the fine old man whom God had so suddenly taken from our midst. Had he lived, it was his intention to have been with the congregation that day, and to have knelt with them before the altar of God. The Rev. Gentleman had had the happiness of knowing him well, and often admiring the true Christian spirit which animated him both in his public life and also in his own family. He had been taken away in mercy, and the change to him, it could not be doubted, was most blest, as he had gone to rejoin her, whose loss bore heavily upon him, although he was too brave and too meek to murmur or complain. But we should miss his erect and venerable form in the place which he was wont to occupy in the Cathedral so regularly, and from the Eucharistic feast, which he never (when able) failed to attend and partake of. He was a good man; and, by his high and courteous bearing won the love and respect of all, and the Revd Gentleman could not allow this day to pass without paying this tribute to his memory. Thank God! although he was gone from us, we believed that he still lived; for Jesus, the Resurrection, and the Life, in whom he trusted, lives; and the remembrance of his calm and Christian life would long survive in our hearts.",
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    {
        "id": 336560,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6]",
        "page_number": 276,
        "title": "CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6]",
        "content_text": "Today, I received the following reply:- \n\n3. Admiralty Orders will remain in force. War Office Orders cancelled.\n\nIn connexion with this subject, I may mention that, on the Acting Consul for Germany calling on Saturday, the 10th instant, and intimating the orders which the Commander of the German Corvette Sophie, now in this harbour, had received from Berlin, with regard to the firing of a salute in honour of the late Emperor and a \"gun for his successor, General Cameron and Commodore Maxwell, at once, and consulted with them as to what ought to be done.\n\n4. The orders to the Commander of the Sophie were...",
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    },
    {
        "id": 336561,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6]",
        "page_number": 277,
        "title": "CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6]",
        "content_text": "were to fire on the day after the receipt of the news of the Emperor's death, 66 minute guns between 8 A.M. and noon, and, after noon, a salute of 33 guns in honour of the reigning Emperor.\n\nCommodore Maxwell objected to the firing on Sunday, but said that, if it could be postponed till Monday, (the 13th instant), he would be ready to co-operate with the Commander of the `Sophie`. The Consul was communicated with, and the firing took place on the 13th instant, the Naval, Military and Colonial Authorities co-operating with the German and Russian ships of war in the harbour.\n\n6. This will explain why the telegram of the 14th was despatched, the General and the Commodore thinking that, as the usual honours had already...",
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    },
    {
        "id": 337759,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-239 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [9-12]",
        "page_number": 154,
        "title": "CO129-239 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [9-12]",
        "content_text": "152\n\nEnclosure 2.\n\n**Commodore Maxwell to Governor.**\n\n(Copy)\n\nLin.\n\nN.MS. \"Victor Emmanuel\" at Hongkong, 15th October, 1888.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's letter 21: 130/4 of 15th instant and its enclosure.\n\nAfter the late survey by H.M.S. \"Rambler\" which showed that the soundings on Kellett's Bank had not altered for many years past and that consequently there had been no process of silting up going on, and moreover that the tides at that spot ran along the bank, i.e. North and South, and not East and West, I cannot conceive that\n\nHis Excellency\n\nSir G. William Des Vœux, KCMG\n\nGovernor of Hong Kong,",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-239 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [9-12].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 338584,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7]",
        "page_number": 20,
        "title": "CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7]",
        "content_text": "## PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, \n\n473 \n\n18. I have not deemed it necessary to touch in this Despatch on the many minor provisions that have been stipulated for in local correspondence, both by the Naval and Military Authorities with regard to buildings, piers, fences, walls, roadways, gates, &c. in connexion with the scheme. Suffice it to say that I have met all these requirements, and that no pains will be spared to make the plan acceptable in all its details both to the Naval and Military Authorities. A strenuous effort, however, will yet have to be made to obtain from the Naval Authorities some reduction of the great height of \"headway\" which they demand under the bridge over the entrance to the Naval Yard basin, as this \"height\" if adhered to will involve unduly steep gradients in the new Praya roadway.\n\n19. In conclusion, I would remind Your Lordship that the Colonial Government has been now ten years endeavouring to effect the realization of this most important undertaking, that in these ten years of fruitless effort and disappointment, and of almost interminable correspondence with the Imperial Departments, the population of the western town has had time almost to double itself, and to become congested to a dangerous degree, and that in consequence of a situation so full of grave anxiety, it is of vital importance that the War Office as well as the Admiralty should be moved to an early decision. For even if, through Your Lordship's efforts in that behalf, a satisfactory result should be arrived at, and I should then be enabled to cause this much-needed work to be commenced during 1889, we can scarcely expect to have the embankment finished before 1893; and only then will it be practicable to establish the tramway communication with the eastern suburbs, so urgently required to lead the population in that direction, and to thus afford a remedy for the evils of overcrowding which at present threaten the health of the Civil community, the Garrison, and the Naval Establishment alike.\n\nI have the honour to be, \n\nMy Lord, \n\nYour Lordship's most obedient, \n\nhumble Servant, \n\nG. WILLIAM DES VŒUX. \n\nHONGKONG, 2nd January, 1889.\n\n## RECZ \n\nSIR, \n\nIn connexion with the project for a proposed junction between the Eastern and Western halves of the city by means of an embankment carried along the front of the Naval Yard and Military Cantonments, I have the honour to report that in consequence of the rapid silting up of the sea-bed along this portion of the foreshore, I have found it necessary to discard all former maps and plans and to incur the expense of an entirely new survey from the Cricket Ground to the Blue Buildings.\n\n2. By the light of this new survey, I am now able to lay down the best position for the proposed embankment, and to recommend a design which, if carried out, will, I trust, render further reclamations outside the new sea-wall unnecessary for a great many years to come.\n\n3. The foreshore having shoaled up in places as much as two feet and a half since 1880, it is now necessary to push the proposed breasting further out into the harbour along deeper water, a change which will tend to maintain present depths by promoting the scouring action of the tide along the sweeping curves of the proposed wall. The alteration, also, by giving a greater depth of water to craft coming alongside the quays, will be a great improvement on previous plans.\n\n4. The change into deeper water will, of course, add largely to the cost of the work, but it will also so greatly increase the area of new land to be reclaimed, as to more than compensate for the increased cost, as the figures will presently show.\n\n5. There is nothing in the plan as now submitted to which either the Naval or Military Authorities have taken exception. The changes proposed, in fact, add to the extent of the military reclamations, and equally benefit Admiralty interests by enlarging the size of the proposed boat-basin as well as of the naval reclamation in front of the Steam Factory, so that this acquiescence on the part of the Imperial Departments is only what was to be expected.\n\n6. Beginning from the west, the plan shows the new Praya placed at a distance out of 300 feet from the present shore-line, so as to bring it into alignment with the embankment to be made opposite the City Hall and the Cricket Ground, under what is popularly known as \"Mr. CHATER'S scheme.\" The position now selected for the breasting at this point will give the North Barracks an additional 26,385 square feet of land, and will increase the total area to be recovered from the sea for the benefit of the War Office in front of these barracks to 134,215 square feet.\n\n7. Crossing the Albany Nullah, over which a granite culvert will be built, and passing on to the Admiralty frontage, the plan shows the present Naval Yard foreshore converted into an inland boat-basin about 400 feet long by 200 feet wide, designed to afford, under the lee of the embankment, ample shelter for the Naval Yard launches, lighters, and boats, for which there has never been any protection on this side of the harbour during rough weather. In addition to this commodious basin of 12 acres, the Admiralty will get a reclamation (shown tinted yellow in the plan) of 52,264 square feet in front of the Steam Factory. This reclamation will be available for future naval buildings.\n\n8. In compliance with the requirements of Commodore MAXWELL, R.N., Superintendent in charge of the Yard, a headway of 14 feet above high water mark has had to be left under the bridge which spans the entrance to the boat-basin. This high headway has necessitated the adoption of rising gradients of 1 in 30 in the approaches to the bridge, which I fear will prove inconvenient to the future tramway and traffic of the embankment, and it is to be hoped that some reduction of headway may be feasible, and so render possible less steep approaches to the bridge. The rise and fall of the tide being 8 feet 9 inches, so large a headway as 14 feet 6 inches at high water would be increased to 19 feet at half tide and to over 23 feet at low tide, dimensions which seem unnecessary, as the largest craft entering the basin will only be cargo boats.\n\n9. In addition, the Naval Authorities have stipulated for two Admiralty quays to be built for the exclusive use of the Naval Yard outside the frontage line of embankment, one on each side of the entrance to the boat-basin, as shown in the plan. These quays, which are to be inaccessible to the public, will be connected with the Yard by means of subways passing under the embankment.\n\nThe Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D., \n\nColonial Secretary.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 344453,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-248 - Public Offices & Others - 1890",
        "page_number": 451,
        "title": "CO129-248 - Public Offices & Others - 1890",
        "content_text": "448\n\n22\n\n(2.) It is understood the Admiralty have the sole right of entry into the boat basin.\n\n(3.) The plan transmitted to your Excellency shows no sewers, and none are contemplated in this locality.\n\n(4.) In the same plan, your Excellency will find that your wish to have the shore projected 20 feet in front of the carpenters' shed has been anticipated. There will be no objection to adding a hauling-up slip.\n\n(5.) The plan also shows the new jetty, 80 feet wide.\n\n(6.) The basin will be dredged out to the depth of the sea outside at the entrance under the bridge; but whether this would be 10 feet, it would be difficult to say now. Your Excellency will readily understand that it would be almost impossible to maintain a depth in the basin greater than that of the sea at the entrance.\n\n23\n\ncapabilities of the naval yard will be much improved, and the inconvenience of having a public road in front of the naval yard will be much reduced. I would, however, submit that the height of the under side of the bridge from the water should not be less than 12 feet at high water, as shown on the plan, there being an average rise and fall of tide of 6 feet at Hong Kong.\n\nThe correspondence and plan are herewith returned.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nGEO. DIGBY MORANT, Captain,\n\nSuperintendent.\n\nThe Secretary of the Admiralty.\n\nWar Office to Admiralty.\n\nWar Office, Pall Mall, S.W.,\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nG. W. DES VEUX, Governor.\n\nHis Excellency Vice-Admiral\n\nSir Nowell Salmon, V.C., K.C.B.\n\nNo. 146.\n\nSir,\n\nHONG KONG Naval Yard-proposed extension of the Praya in front of.\n\n\"Audacious,\" at sea,\n\nLat. 26° 12' N., Long. 120° 30′ E.,\n\n8th May 1888. At the request of the Hong Kong Government, and with reference to your letter D.W.4315 of the 7th February 1888,* I have the honour to submit, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a scheme for the extension of the Praya similar in its general features to that submitted by Sir William Dowell, but more liberal in its proposals.\n\n2. In conjunction with Commodore Maxwell and Major Brooke, R.E., I have taken into my most careful consideration the present scheme, and feel that I can safely recommend it to the acceptance of their Lordships.\n\n3. It will increase considerably the area of the dockyard, will improve the harbour frontage and jetty, permitting gunboats and vessels of similar draught of water to lie alongside, and will provide a camber large enough and deep enough to afford shelter in a typhoon to all the dockyard craft.\n\n4. The inconvenience and risk of a public road passing through the Admiralty property is minimised by the provision that it be securely fenced in; and the Commodore is of opinion that it will not necessitate an increase of the police force.\n\n5. Should this scheme meet with their Lordships' approval, I have the honour to request they will authorize me to accept it definitely when the plans are completed, as the Hong Kong Government is urgent in the matter.\n\nThe Secretary of the Admiralty.\n\nI am, &c.,\n\nNOWELL SALMON, Vice-Admiral\n\nSir,\n\n8 1169\n\n31st August 1888. With reference to your letter of the 8th instant, D.W. 4516, respecting the Hong Kong extension of the Praya wall, at Hong Kong, I am directed to acquaint you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Secretary of State for War is not in a position to offer any remarks upon the scheme alluded to in your letter, until a communication shall have been received from the colony, as to what is proposed to be done in regard to the extension of the Praya wall in front of the War Department property.\n\nI am to observe that if their Lordships are satisfied with the proposals, if the War Department requirements at Wellington Barracks are met, and if the Colonial authorities carry out the entire scheme at their own expense, it does not appear to the Secretary of State that there would be any necessity for his resisting the same.\n\nI am, however, to point out that it is proposed to dispose of the North Barracks, and eventually of the commissariat buildings, which are the two War Department properties, adjoining the east and west of the dockyard. This sale will render it impracticable to extend the Admiralty establishments laterally, except at enormous cost.\n\nIt is, therefore, for their Lordships' consideration whether it would not be advisable to press the Colonial authorities to carry out the scheme of moving the dockyard to Kowloon, as heretofore proposed.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nThe Secretary to the Admiralty.\n\nSir,\n\nColonial Office to War Office.\n\nColonial Office, Downing Street,\n\n3rd November 1888. With reference to your letter, Hong Kong, of the 20th of January, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to enquire whether Mr. Secretary Stanhope has yet heard from the military authorities in Hong Kong, relative to the scheme proposed in the letter from this department of 16th January last for the extension of the Praya roadway in Hong Kong, and whether he is now in a position to favour his Lordship with his views on the subject.\n\nThe Under Secretary of State,\n\nWar Office.\n\nI am, &c.,\n\nJOHN BRAMSTON.\n\n1183\n\nNo. 316.\n\nEXTENSION of Praya Wall, Hong Kong.\n\nHer Majesty's Dockyard, Pembroke Dock,\n\n10th July 1888.\n\nSir,\n\nI beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 7th instant, D.W. 4519, relative to the proposed extension of the Praya wall, Hong Kong, in front of the naval yard, with enclosures, and I have to report, for the information of their Lordships, that after reading the correspondence, and examining the plan, I am of opinion that if the proposal be carried out as approved by the Commander-in-Chief in China, that the...\n\n* Gen. No. 35 of 7th April 1888, Gen. No. 41 of 23rd April 1888, and M 26 of 11th April.\n\nSir,\n\nWar Office to Colonial Office.\n\nWar Office,\n\n14th November 1888. With reference to your letter of the 3rd instant, respecting the Praya wall at Hong Kong, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of Lord Knutsford, that a report has been received from the General Officer Commanding on the subject, and that the matter is now under consideration.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nRALPH THOMPSON.\n\nThe Under Secretary of State.\n\nColonial Office, S.W.",
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        "id": 344456,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-248 - Public Offices & Others - 1890",
        "page_number": 454,
        "title": "CO129-248 - Public Offices & Others - 1890",
        "content_text": "Sir,\n\n28\n\nSurveyor-General, Hong Kong, to Colonial Secretary.\n\nPublic Works Department, Hong Kong,\n\n2nd January 1889. In connection with the project for a proposed junction between the eastern and western halves of the city by means of an embankment carried along the front of the naval yard and military cantonments, I have the honour to report that, in consequence of the rapid silting up of the sea bed along this portion of the foreshore, I have found it necessary to discard all former maps and plans, and to incur the expense of an entirely new survey from the cricket ground to the blue buildings.\n\n2. By the light of this new survey, I am now able to lay down the best position for the proposed embankment, and to recommend a design which, if carried out, will, I trust, render further reclamations outside the new sea wall unnecessary for a great many years to come.\n\n3. The foreshore having shoaled up in places as much as 24 feet since 1880, it is now necessary to push the proposed breasting further out into the harbour along deeper water, a change which will tend to maintain present depths by promoting the scouring action of the tide along the sweeping curves of the proposed wall. The alteration, also, by giving a greater depth of water to craft coming alongside the quays, will be a great improvement on previous plans.\n\n4. The change into deeper water will of course add largely to the cost of the work, but it will also greatly increase the area of new land to be reclaimed, so as to more than compensate for the increased cost, as the figures will presently show.\n\n5. There is nothing in the plan, as now submitted, to which either the naval or military authorities have taken exception. The changes proposed, in fact, add to the extent of the military reclamations, and equally benefit Admiralty interests by enlarging the size of the proposed boat basin, as well as of the naval reclamation in front of the steam factory, so that this acquiescence on the part of the Imperial Departments is only what was to be expected.\n\n6. Beginning from the west, the plan shows the new Praya placed at a distance of 300 feet from the present shore line, so as to bring it into alignment with the embankment to be made opposite the city hall and the cricket ground, under what is popularly known as \"Mr. Chater's scheme.\" The new position, now selected for the breasting at this point, will give the North Barracks an additional 26,385 square feet of land, and will increase the total area to be recovered from the sea for the benefit of the War Office in front of these barracks to 134,215 square feet.\n\n7. Crossing the Albany Nullah, over which a granite culvert will be built, and passing on to the Admiralty frontage, the plan shows the present naval yard foreshore converted into an inland boat basin, about 400 feet long by 200 feet wide, designed to afford under the lea of the embankment ample shelter for the naval yard launches, lighters and boats, for which there has never been any protection on this side of the harbour during rough weather. In addition to this commodious basin of 14 acres, the Admiralty will get a reclamation (shown tinted yellow in the plan) of 52,264 square feet in front of the steam factory. This reclamation will be available for future naval buildings.\n\n8. In compliance with the requirements of Commodore Maxwell, R.N., Superintendent in charge of the yard, a headway of 143 feet above high water mark has had to be left under the bridge which spans the entrance to the boat basin.\n\nThis high headway has necessitated the adoption of rising gradients of 1 in 30 in the approaches to the bridge, which I fear will prove inconvenient to the future tramway and traffic of the embankment, and it is to be hoped that some reduction of headway may be feasible, and so render possible less steep approaches to the bridge. The rise and fall of the tide being 8 feet 9 inches, so large a headway as 14 feet 6 inches at high water would be increased to 19 feet at half tide, and to over 23 feet at low tide, dimensions which seem unnecessary, as the largest craft entering the basin will only be cargo boats.\n\n9. In addition, the naval authorities have stipulated for two Admiralty quays to be built for the exclusive use of the naval yard outside the frontage line of embankment, one on each side of the entrance to the boat basin, as shown in the plan. These quays, which are to be inaccessible to the public, will be connected with the yard by means of subways passing under the embankment.\n\n29\n\n10. Also in compliance with naval requirements, a timber pier will be provided at the expense of the colony outside the embankment, opposite the westernmost subway. This pier, which will be projected into 19 feet of water, will have the present Admiralty shears erected upon it, and will be reserved for the sole use of Her Majesty's vessels.\n\n11. From the foregoing brief description, and by a glance at the plan which accompanies this report, it will be seen that so far from naval interests being in any way prejudicially affected by the proposed embankment scheme, the naval yard will be much enlarged and improved, and its capabilities for usefulness greatly enhanced, for not only will the Admiralty acquire a considerable area of building land, but without having the communication with the sea in any way interfered with, or the privacy of the premises disturbed, it will have the present most objectionable black mud foreshore, which is inaccessible to boats during the hours of low tide, converted into a convenient basin with ample water for large lighters, to say nothing of the additional advantage of a deep water pier and granite quays, accessible at all times of tide to vessels of as great a draught as 19 feet.\n\n12. Continuing eastward we pass from the Admiralty precincts to Marine Lot No. 22, or that portion of the military cantonments known as \"Commissariat Buildings,\" and in front of which the reclamation will amount to 53,303 square feet. This property (Lot 22) was purchased by the War Office from its former owner, a Mr. Grinnell, for commissariat uses, but as Mr. Grinnell had no title to any land outside the four boundaries of his leasehold, he could not of course convey, and did not as a matter of fact convey, to the War Office any marine or other rights which he himself did not possess, and it is on this account that the Colonial Government has contended that any reclamations opposite Lot 22 would be the property of the colony, to be disposed of by the colony to the best advantage by way of partial reimbursement for the cost of the embankment. If, however, this reclamation were relinquished to the War Department it would, under any circumstances, be necessary for the Colonial Government to keep possession, for the purpose of a new public street, 30 feet wide, to be called Commissariat Street, a strip 15 feet in width, the remaining 15 feet of width to be taken from the adjoining Lot No. 21. This deduction of the 15-ft. strip, which contains 7,350 square feet, would reduce the area of the commissariat reclamation, available for building on, from 53,303 to 45,953 square feet.\n\n13. Adjoining Lot 22, come Lots 21 and 20, the property of Mr. Edmund Sharp. The sea reclamation along Mr. Sharp's marine frontage, as in the preceding case of the commissariat premises, will be the property of the Colonial Government. The area will be 60,640 square feet (including the 15-ft. strip to be taken for the street), and if Mr. Sharp will defray the cost of the embankment and of the entire filling in, including the 15-ft. strip in front of the two lots, the Colonial Government will, I apprehend, see fit to allow him to retain the reclaimed land as an extension to Lots 20 and 21, on the same terms that it proposes to concede to the marine lot owners under Mr. Chater's Reclamation Scheme.\n\nThe deduction of the 15-ft. strip, containing 7,257 square feet required for the street, it should be stated, will reduce Mr. Sharp's building area from 60,640 to 53,383 square feet.\n\n14. To the east of Lots 20 and 21 follow the Wellington Barracks with a proposed sea reclamation of 149,036 square feet, which will be the property of the War Department.\n\n15. From the Wellington Barracks frontage, the embankment will pass along that of the Military Arsenal, which will get the benefit of 124,427 square feet of new land, and this land will be specially valuable to the War Office, because as the neighbourhood is already Chinese in character, the arsenal reclamations may be sold by the military authorities without any restrictions against the building of Chinese houses, a circumstance that will cause the sites to be eagerly competed for by native capitalists, who will pay at least from 3 to 4 dollars per square foot, these being the prices given at recent sales of ground on the opposite side of Arsenal Road. On this reclamation alone therefore the War Office stands to realize at least 435,739 dollars; in all probability the proceeds of the sales, if the land is judiciously parcelled out, will exceed 500,000 dollars.\n\n16. After passing the arsenal frontage, the embankment will have to be diverted inshore in a rather abrupt, and I fear somewhat unsightly curve, as shown on the plan. This curve is unavoidable, and is necessary for the purpose of effecting a junction with the present Eastern Praya, at a point opposite the blue buildings. The embankment along the reverse curve however is intended to be only temporary, and the masonry of the wall will therefore be of a less costly type, the intention being to take down the embankment from the tangent point A (see Plan), and to carry it eastward in a straight line.\n\n(247)\n\nI\n\n451",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-248 - Public Offices & Others - 1890.txt",
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        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-488 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1925 [1-7]",
        "page_number": 106,
        "title": "CO129-488 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1925 [1-7]",
        "content_text": "## \n+ Floda table brood no sim as hearin capital (d) \ntalewhon ed 'Iuos nedaya of film edT (c) pohjis svoďs (d) od sonometer diłw betoa ed oð si JI men arabirnos ad, loog vízwolvɗe eza doldw anonser \n\nO IR braoď no visaasoca od 1113a 'Iươw mołdostorq and moldmeiða nuotron to patvmoob onia sza sÉLODOT livia: moltostory eIdadong adź of na „wvomaď„udzumos a. romund beurte: Ismeldiḥās to motalvany sdi yi batos?te od moumað, «not-nol neowded vitlost weit oát où vím viĻGA : Ti Aduos fan Särsom olttest Istanað „ravif duel odt .vfetodë ketnoita eižu on må oď Illw “matymol \n\n1 \nunteja djeol Lowcall vobczamn:0 digʊn:52LA \nCitoft a \"wikiem) nerfomutal bearta apam & te moltibha sốt \n-- \n-Horia ed et istaya yonaco sdit »Idam LLkw (X£n mi \nDan viðkimdigo al od distríð od bontfont un I \nat duie ma I \n«Yterrodea Lampot eď dánim vod \nthe moiteoup alið aroulb lliw I kus mtn © da mid siniv \nde Indian add 2 nelź ubessumooer enľa oll \nfurt los: \nTaź soʻng bata ddisyoch naci to od Mumin morfomuni \nTo veonode mi am boogn medsen „Imaong da homar ocott comið awal ni hovory sum fextaq no vadź moztu vodunu Q: I JI \nItud od viźnon arem od !frow podł kund weito add ptomi Jualstw #roo Lashkvikai vind? mižon of vidia neq :sh zimad at yrannoben ons boogu ở xv ima arso2nmamEE #salw \n„mid date anvendt. IIIw I tulog modtons si sig \nminico na ratto of moldingɑ a ni don mòn I \n.Of \n0 metmi adt te youtolite ve saliciouth sciíð oð na \n1 \nmaka við mi isotov stat¬Irmoo erit te amo nɛed and dɔkstu sklo¶ sit rehau eta verið tað brzðum.bans i „droqui .5^a sipalla tiedź mo ved? of eæed usi± \nO VIɛve as low sa abruf mit diet dzeợST Í SK݇ Saksa \nTo ensino Bid teinu noen drum ghin mid bznoj no novTOQ \nAqua ni ni \ntun da jelt!- pannklu and to mintysɔ emer,kiud uo qbofrerve bus ghia uid to \n\n## \nor position. If Captains of ships are unequal to this responsibility they should not be in command, but that is a matter which the owners must deal with though I fully appreciate the difficulties of this question.\n\n11. \nThe signatories of the Minority Report and the bodies they represent, stress that it is upon the Navy, and the Navy alone, that the onus of anti-piracy measures should rest, rather than on local regulations which touch either directly or indirectly their own pockets.\n\n12. \nNo doubt, if you thought fit, you would represent to H.M. Government that the Naval River Gunboats protecting British commercial shipping interests and trade in the Delta were unequal to the task. Should you contemplate doing so I would suggest that you officially ask for the opinion of Commodore Stirling (he being the responsible head of Naval operations in the Delta), also Commander Maxwell Scott who is the Senior Naval Officer of the mobile Naval forces based on Canton for River protection.\n\n13. I also suggest, with great respect, that the Commodore, H.M.S. \"Tamer\" may be officially associated with your Government when questions arising out of the regulations regarding the local anti-piracy measures as applied to merchant ships are being dealt with. I venture to make this suggestion because it seems to me to be imperative that there should be the closest co-operation between your Government and the Naval authorities here on the whole question; moreover the Admiralty are naturally interested in the matter.\n\n14. \nI have written these views somewhat hurriedly since I understand that a Government meeting is to be held on Thursday next to consider the Minority Report.\n\nHis Excellency \nSir Reginald E. Stubbe, K.C.M.G., \nGovernor, \nHongkong.\n\nI have, &c., \n(Sd.) A. F. Everett, \nVice-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.",
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 67,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "At the same time I repeat that the turks, as well as every other person on board the ship, must come under the orders of the Captain of the ship who, at sea, is in supreme command of his ship and everybody on board, regardless of their rank or position.\n\nIf Captains of ships are unequal to this responsibility they should not be in command, but that is a matter which the owners must deal with though I fully appreciate the difficulties of this question.\n\n11. The signatories of the Minority Report and the bodies they represent, stress that it is upon the Navy, and the Navy alone, that the onus of anti-piracy measures should rest, rather than on local regulations which touch either directly or indirectly their own pockets.\n\n12. No doubt, if you thought fit, you would represent to H.M. Government that the Naval river Gunboats protecting British commercial shipping interests and trade in the Delta were unequal to the task. In doing so I would suggest that you officially ask for the opinion of Commodore Stirling (he being the responsible head of Naval operations in the Delta), also Commander Maxwell Dowsett who is the Senior Naval Officer of the mobile naval force based on Canton for River protection.\n\n13. I also suggest, with great respect, that the Commodore, R.N., \"HMS 'Tamar'\" may be officially associated with your Government when questions arising out of the regulations regarding the local anti-piracy measures are being dealt with, as applied to merchant ships. I venture to make this suggestion because it seems to me to be imperative that there should be ...\n\nPage 117",
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    {
        "id": 501128,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 155,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "153\n\nThe leak in the water tank has been temporarily plugged and I have taken the precaution of filling the swimming bath which now holds 90,000 gallons of drinking water.\n\nInformal conversations are being carried on through the good offices of the American and German Consul General and other neutrals, and the atmosphere is less tense.\n\nMe soldiers have lately been observed in the vicinity of Šhoemeen (?Shameen).\n\n29th June\n\nThe Custom House was partially damaged on the [this night?]. It is hoped this will tend to ease the situation.\n\nHis Britannic Majesty's Consul General has assured the neutral mediators that there is no intention of bringing up more troops; for this reason I have stopped the R.M. detachment from landing.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour obedient Servant,\n\nThe Commodore\n\nHONG KONG.\n\n(sd)\n\nH. MAXWELL SCOTT.\n\nCommander. Senior Naval Officer, West River.",
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    {
        "id": 501282,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 309,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "J (ba)\n\nPiracy suppression: une enclosure. forwards notes on.\n\n306\n\nNo. 161. and 3 copies.\n\nH.B.M.Consulate General, Canton. 29th September, 1924.\n\n.0. to Camodore, 23/9/24,\n\nSir,\n\nWith reference to cooperation for piracy suppression in the Delta, I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a letter addressed by Commander Maxwell-Scott, whose ship is at present in Hongkong, to the Commodore. General Li Pu-lin's representative came to see me on September 26th, on his return from Hongkong, and informed me that satisfactory arrangements had been made concerning action against pirates taking refuge in the Colony.\n\nFurther trouble is now threatened in the vicinity of Kongmoon. The Commissioner of Customs at that port, Mr. Hilliard, informs me that the General stationed there is Leung Hung-kai, commanding of the first Cantonese Division, which is badly trained and largely composed of pirates and ex-pirates. He is virtually independent and recently has forcibly removed the lead of the\n\nHis Majesty's Minister, Peking.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt",
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    {
        "id": 501431,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 458,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "157.\n\n452\n\nJ\n\n... acaqino sa\n\n5\n\n* C\n\n*\n\n7!\n\n'\n\n+\n\nDONEZ TUA ITDA\n\n...\n\nM\n\nهم هم الله\n\n+\n\n..\n\n1\n\n*\n\n+\n\nY\n\ntengra 1.5IN\n\nYEN BİÇİvai at\n\nTor a mol÷zingem o*\n\n*d of air SLU PAN ŠRea\n\nTragterzi ta\n\nAND, IN De mangan\n\nTU DALAY WON\n\n„Pure *rice \"idřena fro\n\n* marter abi* 17JE\n\n** 16 MULCANIZ TAVOJade Tot\n\nbatte ut q÷vewON NIpoh Ji\n\n** 10 juxteh te lartzune diz\n\n!!\n\n*TO PTSBECK' ins62 view t\n\neviş or bel Løgmbo Y NG Aved blom » potti gut, artıra\n\nบ\n\nthose individuals who did very arduous public service\n\n27 transport workers, members of the Rheeseen Defence\n\nCorps and so forth. Espécial mention is due to two\n\nmembers of the community, Mr. Kearney, a Canadian,\n\nagent for Messrs. Andersen, Meyer & Co., and Mr. Sentschmer, an American, agent of the Texas Oil Company.\n\nThere undertook the hardest and at the same time the\n\nmost important job on the island, the working of the\n\npump for the water supply. When the employees left\n\nhameen, the pump was discovered to have been neglected\n\nfor a long time past and to be in very bad working or-\n\nder; there was moreover only about 5 hours' supply in\n\nthe tank. It was, I understand, chiefly in connection\n\nwith the water supply that the Chinese had calculated\n\non breaking down our resistance; and Mr. Kearney and\n\nMr. Scotchmer deserve the thanks of the community for\n\nthe manner in which they tackled their task, en-\n\ngaging in strenuous manual labour, occasionally for as\n\nmuch as fourteen hours a day, and thereby saving the\n\nsituation.\n\nMany of the residents in Shameen were however not\n\nfit for such heavy work, besides which the number of\n\nthose available was limited. It would therefore have\n\nbeen found very difficult to cope with the situation\n\nhad it not been for the assistance rendered by the Navy,\n\nthe French Concession being of course looked after by\n\nthe French Navy. As regards the British Concession, the\n\nCommodore in Hongkong gave the Senior Naval officer in\n\nCanton, Commander Maxwell-Scott, a free hand to take",
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    {
        "id": 501432,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 459,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "Page 453\n\nThe text appears to be garbled and contains nonsensical characters, likely due to OCR errors.\n\nGenerally speaking, the Commodore in every way did all that was possible to assist.\n\nIn Shameen Commander Maxwell-Scott's efficiency and thoroughness, his promptness and resourcefulness, and his organising power were invaluable.\n\nH.M.S. \"Tarantula\" and H.M.S. \"Cicala\" were retained in Canton for the duration of the strike, while H.M.S. \"Robin\" and H.M.S. \"Moorhen\" were there during a great part of the time.\n\nNaval ratings chiefly contributed to keeping all the essential services going; they manned the pumping station; they unloaded the daily supplies of food, ice, and other things from the Hongkong steamer and landed it on the Concession; they performed a number of miscellaneous jobs on behalf of the community; and they at first assisted in patrolling the Concession.\n\nThe Marines, who were quartered in Shameen, patrolled the Concession throughout the strike from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., they guarded the British bridge night and day, and they performed various other services.\n\nH.M.S. \"Robin\" and H.M.S. \"Moorhen\" in turn protected the wharves of the Asiatic Petroleum Company and of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, situated some way down the back reach.\n\nCaptain Williams, a highly efficient officer, in addition to his regular duties, rendered particularly valuable service by his supervision of and insistence on sanitary measures.\n\never steps were required. He also sent up a body\n\nof marines at first 14, a number which later on rose to\n\n60\n\nunder Captain Williams,\n\nif required, and offered to send up a sloop as well, offer it was not found necessary to accept.",
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    {
        "id": 501555,
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        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 582,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "576\n\nMALARİTO YlSVÄŗSTAQROs ventre diİN \n\n-VOLLE WIзw graniity wit agho 11 „szinte de new sielonİTA Whamno antstol »Na soukar Flung vert das? Inn] ca s »Iumbe wak✦ Peoria vers #mmon va da motratnim od «İTRUTH BUN,ragveinme tie antwerbstly to dra) Marga gine son,xistinIsbn) hetraqet ed at metres DC FREZ een di Tevenem,antrio ni sredicente tod (MINA) Ki \n\n• di aber au 109- vrew hipns entr' mi eramusTG) to D. TOCHT #6) 53тow 13 ton blure naitaand sit Du BIGÊN \n\nKIRJAITW BTer yard so ↑ The Suavel Divos tam telest on deste menia ni #I \n\n4\n\nMIMODNE LİLetnika „yd İsummon egt don heit betetto fuo noneth yn yd neved bande vuit batterque yibliOR „itorial Eaglotnuni ow? :i3 v₫ bris 15-eym Te *ORK MİJİT: add ni aalijam2*an Ita to nÉN NEM TE Arugabrey dhonda heit ft38 erart, no sukteem art \n\n- hy smitalumet exer bote alitet? wart Brit e kanalihe vuit ine,sveri te dntor #[dipraTRO astebro #ter kegyoltes asemadƐ art mere #butitta ma Mit Relojad #rolment #Jorbe a na vtinuamos s♫t Gi bevel the need oveď 1 PM #495DVg to #tumaan TavatarŃ TOI il pan, ac fan wat twit habba ad tavewer hivora JI PATİT ALQİtav srit to gooɔiytoż to Ledzneso r2 19 droë ri svag nesmenë ni haFNAROTYÖT \n\n** en tur athw #JUST. TO stayoral İROGI TISA of A baline ku ased ovari binow toddał ort detuvo \n\nml melodioUAT AL MAvmend yITSIUDISTEY STOM \n\nthose individuals who did very arduous public service as transport workers, members of the Shameen Defence Corps and so forth. Especial mention is due to two members of the community, Mr. Kearney, a Canadian, went for Messrs. Andersen, Meyer & Co., and Mr. Scotchmer, an American, agent of the Texas Oil Company. These undertook the hardest and at the same time the most important job on the island, the working of the \n\nWhen the employees left pump for the water supply. \n\nShameen, the pump was discovered to have been neglected for a long time past and to be in very bad working order; there was moreover only about 5 hours' supply in the tank. It was, I understand, chiefly in connection with the water supply that the Chinese had calculated on breaking down our resistance; and Mr. Kearney and Mr. Scotchmer deserve the thanks of the community for the manner in which they tackled their task, engaging in strenuous manual labour, occasionally for as much as fourteen hours a day, and thereby saving the \n\nsituation.\n\nMany of the residents in Shameen were however not fit for such heavy work, besides which the number of \n\nIt would therefore have those available was limited. \n\nbeen found very difficult to cope with the situation had it not been for the assistance rendered by the Navy, the French Concession being of course looked after by the French Navy. As regards the British Concession, the Commodore in Hongkong gave the Senior Naval Officer in Canton, Commander Maxwell-Scott, a free hand to take",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt",
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    {
        "id": 501556,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 583,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "whatever steps were required. He also sent up a body of Marines at first 14, a number which later on rose to under Captain Williams, He promised a further lot, which if required, and offered to send up a sloop as well, offer it was not found necessary to accept. Generally speaking, the Commodore in every way did all that was possible to assist.\n\nNaval\n\nIn Shameen Commander Maxwell-scott's efficiency and thoroughness, his promptness and resourcefulness, and his organising power were invaluable. H.M.S. 'Tarantula' and H.M.S. \"Cicala' were retained in Canton for the duration of the strike, while H.M.S. \"Robin' and H.M.S. \"Moorhen\" were there during a great part of the time. ratings chiefly contributed to keeping all the essential services going; they manned the pumping station; they unloaded the daily supplies of food ice, and other things from the Hongkong steamer and landed it on the Concession; they performed a number of miscellaneous jobs on behalf of the community; and they at first assisted in patrolling the Concession. The Marines, who were quartered in Shameen, patrolled the Concession throughout the strike from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. they guarded the British bridge night and day, and they performed various other services. \"Robin' and H.M.S. \"Moorhen\" in turn protected the wharves of the Asiatic Petroleum Company and of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, situated some way down the back reach. Captain Williams, a highly efficient officer, in addition to his regular duties, rendered particularly valuable service by his supervision of and insistence on sanitary measures.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt",
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    {
        "id": 504651,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12]",
        "page_number": 520,
        "title": "CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12]",
        "content_text": "28\n\nSome appeared to be shoving the Chinese onlookers away, the remainder turned round, faced Shameen and were seen loading their rifles. Then the front rank opened fire straight across the creek at Shameen, the others joined in and instantaneously the firing became intense all the way down as far as I could see. They then scattered in all directions and took up positions behind any available cover in the houses and continued the attack,\n\n\"In a very short space of time I found bullets splashing round the consul-general and myself, so we retreated hurriedly.\n\n\"The Lewis gun detachment stationed overhead (No. 1) observed the firing at us, and bullets were also coming over their sandbag protection. They opened fire on the soldiers; the other Lewis gun detachments on their right were also being peppered and also opened fire.\n\n\"Directly I got up into No. 1 gun's position I ordered 'cease firing' with the intention of avoiding all unnecessary fighting. In the nature of things it was a short time before the further guns and the specials could be stopped. Very little firing really took place on our part.\n\n11\n\nThe soldiers continued firing, sniping from various points of vantage. When they became too accurate and persistent a few rounds of Lewis gun or rifle were dealt out to them, but soon afterwards I ordered all firing to cease unless the enemy became dangerous.\n\n\"After about an hour all firing ceased. Meanwhile, during a comparative lull about a quarter hour after the start, I managed to get to my headquarters at the consulate.\n\n\"On the left of the British bridge only a few rounds were fired by us, it being necessary to deal with some snipers in the buildings opposite.\n\n\"Similar action was taken by the French in their part of the island.\n\n\"One naval rating, Petty Officer Robert M. Chalmers, official No. J.15613, was wounded in the hand, and three civilians, one fairly seriously, the others slightly.\n\n\"In the French concession one civilian was killed and one wounded.\n\nThree Japanese civilians were wounded, one of whom was close to one of our Lewis gun positions before we opened fire.\n\n\"I have no doubt myself, and all evidence confirms the opinion, that this was a deliberate 'incident' engineered by a section of the local Government.\n\n\"I understand the Chinese casualties were roughly thirty killed and seventy wounded.\n\nC\n\nOne bullet pierced the water-tank and reduced the water supply until the damage can be repaired.\n\n\"The defence forces remained on duty till 6 o'clock this morning, when the specials were withdrawn; the naval parties remain at their posts.\n\n\"The enormous handicap Shameen suffers under from defence and communication points of view were very evident. To communicate or pass from one block to another means crossing a bullet-swept street. Bullets were also coming down Central Avenue from the French bridge end. Some telephone communication was fixed up, but is not very satisfactory, there being no exchange on the island.\n\n\"The Chinese authorities have written accusing us and the French of deliberately creating this incident. In these circumstances the danger of further attacks is very prominent. I have therefore to-day asked for troops to be sent up.\n\n\"The number of men available from the gunboats is not sufficient to keep our lines manned for more than a day or two without relief.\n\n\"We are also running the water-works and freezing installation, and the danger of attack from the water side must be guarded against.\n\n\"Further report will be made when details are available.\n\n\"Sir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n\"M. MAXWELL SCOTT, Commander.\n\n\"S.N.O., West River.\"\n\n\"Commander Scott to Commodore, Hong Kong.\n\n\"H.M.S. Tarantula,' at Canton, June 30, 1925.\n\n\"I have the honour, in continuation of my letter of the 24th June, 1925, to report that there is no doubt that the soldiers who started the firing belonged to that section of the Cantonese army trained by Russians at the military academy\n\n29\n\nof Whampoa. Full of confidence engendered by their easy victories over Chen Cheng Ming's troops and the Yunnanese army, they may have readily thought that they could take Shameen. In any case, there is no doubt that they had expressed that intention on the previous day.\n\n\"His Britannic Majesty's consul-general is, however, willing to believe that the local Government were not directly cognizant of their intentions.\n\n\"Whether or no their attack was meant seriously or merely to create an 'incident' it is impossible to say, but, if the former, it is providential that it took place before the whole Shakee Creek was lined with troops. The creek had so many sampans alongside the Chinese side and the tide was at such a height that a determined rush would have probably succeeded in getting many men into Shameen and through our defence line.\n\n\"The number of casualties on the Chinese side is stated to be thirty-seven killed, including one woman and one teacher and four students of the Canton Christian College, and eighty wounded.\n\n\"After firing the first few volleys the soldiers took up positions of vantage in the houses and behind the pillars supporting the verandahs and continued to fire rapidly. It is inevitable under the circumstances that some unfortunate civilians should suffer, especially from ricochet bullets, but the only case that I have been able to ascertain of a man not in uniform being fired at by the British forces was that of an individual who drew a Mauser pistol from under his clothes.\n\n\"In connection with the order given by me to cease firing when I reached our Lewis-gun post by the British bridge, I would draw attention to the service performed by Petty Officer Robert M. Chalmers, official No. J.15613, who ran down our front line under heavy fire and blew the signal for 'cease fire' continuously until, just as he was passing the Victoria Hotel, he was hit in both hands and fell into the hotel verandah.\n\n\"Two platoons of Indian troops arrived in Shameen on the 25th June and took over that part of the line stretching from the British bridge to the western end of the island. They were at first quartered in tents, but yesterday they were moved into a convenient house, the building of which has just been completed.\n\n\"The officer in command assures me that his men are comfortable and happy. Their keenness is very evident.\n\n\"The Shameen special police have shown great keenness and energy in carrying out many\n\nvaried duties besides taking their share in guard duties; their spirit\n\ncould be no better.\n\n\"Commanding officers, officers and ship's companies have one and all shown great cheeriness and devotion to duty. Their health remains good.\n\n\"The leak in the water-tank has been temporarily plugged, and I have taken the precaution of filling the swimming bath, which now holds 90,000 gallons of drinking water.\n\n\"Informal conversations are being carried on through the good offices of the American and German consuls-general and other neutrals, and the atmosphere is less tense.\n\n\"No soldiers have lately been observed in the vicinity of Shameen.\n\n\"The custom-house was partially reopened on the 29th June; this should tend to ease the situation.\n\n\"His Britannic Majesty's consul-general has assured the neutral mediators that there is no intention of bringing up more troops; for this reason I have stopped the R.E. detachment from landing.\n\n\"I have, &c.\n\nANNEX VI.\n\n\"M. MAXWELL SCOTT, Commander,\n\n\"S.N.O., West River.\"\n\n[F3473/194/10]\n\nConsul-General Jamieson to Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Received July 28.) (No. 5.)\n\nSir,\n\nCanton, June 25, 1925. WITH reference to the local political situation, I have the honour to enclose herewith, for your information, copies of my despatches Nos. 46 and 47 of to-day's date to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, Peking.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\n509",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12].txt",
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