Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 538

No. 107.

SIR,

25

(Governor to Secretary of State.)

. GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 28th April, 1899.

The late unfortunate disturbances in the leased area render it expedient that I should place you in possession of all the facts bearing upon the present situu-

tion.

2. It will be remeinbered that there has been considerable delay in arranging for the delimitation of the Northern boundary. In August last year the entire district was visited by Mr. STEWART LOCKHART whose able report has been considered by you. Immediately after his arrival from England on the 3rd February, I entered upon the consideration of the details of administration of the New Territory, while the question of the boundary was being discussed between Her Majesty's and the Chi- nese Governments. All the details of the additional establishments, number and location of police, necessary public works, &c. were determined by the time when the boundary was fixed on behalf of the two Governments by Deputy WANG and Mr. STEWART LOCKHART on the 14th March.

3. On the 24th March Mr. MAY, the Captain Superintendent of Police, pro- ceeded to Tái pó Hü and selected a site for a station. On the 31st March he again visited the place and found the framework of a matshed erected by the contractor, who had, however, ceased to work as he was ordered to desist by the villagers. I may observe that matsheds are temporary structures of bamboo poles, rafters, and floors with sides and roof of palin leaves. They are put up without nails and very rapidly and are strong and watertight.

4. On being appealed to by the village to remove the matshed as its position would interfere with their "Fung Shui" or good luck, he declined to do so or con- sider the matter until they permitted the workmen to proceed, so work was resumed. On the next day he returned, and in deference to the objections of the villagers he asked them to point out another site, which they did, on which he ordered the frame to be taken down and removed to the new site. As soon as the workmen had well begun on the new shed they were resisted, upon which a mes- sage was sent to the Colonial Secretary, Mr. STEWART LOCKHART.

5. On that day Mr. STEWART LOCKHART came to me bringing with him an inflammatory placard that was, according to the information given to him, being posted in the villages of the leased area. A copy of this placard was transmitted with my despatch No. 82 of 1st instant. At the same time the information was given to me that the workinen erecting the matsheds were stopped by threats. Mr. STEWART LOCKHART, who has a long experience in China, said that the consequences of the issue of this placard and the stoppage of the work of erecting the matshed would be very serious. He suggested that I should send him to Canton to see the Viceroy, as not a moment should be lost. I concluded that if it was necessary to see the Viceroy I had better see him myself. I telegraphed to the Consul at Canton that I desired to see the Viceroy next day, and next morning started from here at 5 a.m., taking Mr. STEWART LOCKHART with me. Up to that time, although apparently everything was friendly in the New Territory, we were only on sufferance in erecting matsheds, and it became evident that if the Viceroy would not accept responsibility for their protection I must either defer any preparation for the ac- commodation of the police, or apply for authority to take over possession without further delay.

6. I have reported the circumstances of my visit to the Viceroy in my des- patch No. 87 of 7th instant. He accepted all the responsibility for the protection of the matsheds which involved his permission to erect them, and, in accordance with his promise, telegraphed at once to the Colonel stationed at Kowloon to pre- pare for 300 men who were to proceed to any portion of the leased arca desired by this Government, so as to afford protection to the matsheds being erected, and also to surveying parties, and generally to preserve order. These soldiers were sent down within three days, and the places to which we wished them to be sent were indicated by the Colonial Secretary. The Viceroy also issued a proclama- tion to be posted in various villages calling upon the people to be of good bela- viour and stating that the area had been leased to Great Britain by the Emperor of China. Thus the entire responsibility for the peace and good order of the leased area was undertaken by the Viceroy, as I was determined not to send any armed men into the Territory until I was about to take possession.