Directory_and_Chronicle_1939 — Page 887

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HONGKONG

A499

drawn from Mirs Bay to Deep Water Bay and the adjacent islands, including Lantao, the extent of the New Territory being about 376 square miles, namely, 286 square miles on the mainland and 90 square miles on the islands. The ceremony of formally taking over the territory was fixed for the 17th April, 1899, when the British flag was to have been hoisted at Taipohu, and the day was declared a general holiday. Attacks, however, having been made on the parties engaged on the preliminary arrangements, the mat-sheds erected for the accommodation of the police having been burnt, and other evidences of organised opposition having been given, it was deemed advisable to assume full jurisdiction on the 16th April, on which date the flag was hoisted by the Hon. Mr. (afterwards Sir) J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C. M.G., Colonial Secretary. Military operations were found necessary to overcome the opposition, and on the 18th April the rebels were completely routed in an action fought at Sheung Tsun, their force numbering some 2,600 men. On the British side there were no fatalities and only one or two slight casualties; a number of Chinese were killed and wounded, but the exact figures were not ascertained, those who fell being carried away by their friends. In the Convention it was provided that Kowloon City was to remain Chinese, but, owing to the difficulties in admini- stration and in respect of the disturbances which occurred on the taking over of the leased area, the Home Government determined to take over this area and orders were issued to the military authorities to seize Kowloon walled city and Shamchun. This was done on the 16th May, 1899, no opposition being encountered at either place. The Hongkong Volunteer Corps took part in the expedition to Kowloon City. Shamchun, the other place seized, is an important town on the river of the same name just beyond the boundary originally agreed upon It was, however, restored to the Chinese authorities in November, 1899. The New Territory under British jurisdiction is being rapidly developed by the construction of roads; one of these, running from Kowloon to Castle Peak, affording magnificent sea-scapes to the motorist, who can return by way of Fan Ling and Taipo, the total distance being about sixty miles. Police stations have been established, and a system of administration by means of village communities organised. The headquarters of the administration are at Tai- pohu. The railway from Kowloon to Canton, which passes through the New Territory to Shamchun, has already done much to develop it. The Hongkong Golf Club acquired an area of 55.62 acres in the valley stretching West from Fanling and have converted it into a Golf Course of 18 holes, with two relief Courses of 9 holes each, which are now being extended, the whole promising to be the best in the East. The neighbourhood and Taipo are coming into favour with Europeans for residental purposes by reason of the picturesque scenery. The principal islands and their populations are as follows:-Lantao, 5,844; Cheung Chau, 5,035; Lamma, 1,256. These figures do not include the floating population. The islands to the west of Hongkong contain 1,925; those to the east 1,169. The Chinese population of the New Territories is 95,503.

Of the islands and islets in the waters of the Colony (exclusive of the above acquisitions) the most important is Stonecutter's Island, formerly known as Wong Chune-chow, opposite to and about three-quarters of a mile from the north-west extremity of the Kowloon peninsula. The island is an irregular ridge about a mile in length, and a little over a quarter of a mile broad; the principal eminences are occupied by batteries and no one is allowed to land without a permit. The Quarantine Station also is located here. After the great typhoon of September, 1874, two or three thousand bodies of the victims found afloat were interred on Stonecutter's Island. Kellet's Island is a small rock near East Point, on which formerly stood a fort, now replaced by a small magazine. Green Island, at the western entrance of the harbour, has been planted with trees and now justifies its name all the year round. A lighthouse has been placed on its south-western extremity. One Tree Island is a tiny rock near the entrance to Aberdeen. Aplichau, a considerable island opposite Aberdeen, of which harbour it forms part, has a populous fishing village on its northern shore facing Aberdeen. Lantao and Lamma Islands were brought