Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 543

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(Colonial Secretary to Governor.)

15th April, 1899.

YOUR EXCELLENCY,

I am informed that the disturbance in the neighbourhood of Tái pó Hii has assumed a more serious aspect and that there are about 2,000 men collected in the neighbourhood of Tái pó Hü for the purpose of resisting the British.

The 2,000 men come from districts north of Sham Chun and are supposed to be the remnants of the followers of CHUNG SUI-YEUNG and SÜN YAT-SEN, who tried to create a rebellion in the Kwangtung province. In addition to the 2,000 men at Tái pó Hü, there are at least 1,000 men scattered throughout the New Territory, who are said to belong to the Triad Society. A large number of people from the neighbourhood of Sham Chun have also crossed into the Territory under the pretence of looking on, but are ready to take a hand in the fight if the insur- gents are successful at the beginning. It is the intention of the people collected at Tái pó Hu to fire from the hills on our troops. The villagers are on the whole favourably disposed towards us, but the superior force of the rowdies has compelled them to join the movement against their own inclination and to subscribe in money and kind towards the support of those ready to resist. Should any success attend those who wish to resist, they will be joined by all the villages in the New Territory and by the inhabitants of the neighbouring districts of Tung Kun and Kwai Shin. Two of the men sent to post the Governor's proclamation in Chinese have been seized and detained at Kam T'in Hü and in the Sháp Pát Heung District. The Chinese who kotowed at Government House have been, it is alleged, locked up in their own village and have been forced to give supplies of fowls, pigs, &c. to the insurgents. My informant predicts that there will be trouble as soon as the troops arrive and that the insurgents will try to "snipe" our soldiers from the hillsides.

The above information has been given to me by Mr. NG SUI-SHANG, who is well acquainted with the New Territory and its inhabitants, and has given me great

assistance at various times.

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary.

(Captain Superintendent of Police to Governor.)

YOUR EXCELLENCY,

16th April, 1899.

Yesterday at 4.30 p.m. I landed with my party of Police expecting to find the Hongkong Regiment Company on the ground which I had described to Captain BERGER. Immediately on landing we were fired on, and the fire being heavy and missiles flying overhead, I sent back Mr. MuDIE and his party, who had the flagstaff, and took up a position to cover the retreat of that party.

The Chinese then began to advance, and as some bullets fell close to us I had to return the fire. The Hongkong Regiment then came up and the rest has been reported, I believe, by Captain LONG. Late in the evening the Hongkong Regiment captured a standard which may help to identify the persons who were opposing

There was at least one casualty on the Chinese side.

us.

I shall get the flagstaff up to-day and hope to get tents fixed for my men, but much time has been lost with the difficulties of landing.

F. H. MAY.