58
5. San Tin in the Sheung U Division (including the villages of
Tsò T'au and Lok Ma Chau).
6. Ho Sheung in the Sheung U Division.
7. Sheung Shui
**
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8. Shek U
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9. Fan Ling
21
The two last places were visited after we had reached Sheung Shui.
Petitions have been presented by-
1. San T'in (including Tsò T'an and Lok Ma Chau).
This is one
of the largest villages in the territory and has a population
of over 2,000 people.
2. Wo Sheung Heung,
3. Sheung Shui.
4. Kam Ts'in and In Kong.
5. Fan Ling (including Sò Kon Pò and Fan Ling Lau).
San Tin, Sheung Shui, and Fan Ling are the largest villages in this part of the territory. The inhabitants of the two latter were very insolent to Mr. MAY when he visited them last month to select a site for a Police Station.
All the Petitions are couched in terms exactly identical with those pre- sented at Ping Shán, translations of which have been already forwarded.
I have informed the Petitioners that they should carry on their various occupations as usual, and tell the villagers, as I have already done, that well- behaved people will be protected and disturbers of the peace punished. I have also told them that the Government expects the gentry, elders, and villagers to co-operate in the maintenance of peace and good order.
I handed to the Petitioners copies of Your Excellency's Chinese proclama- tion and Chinese translations of the Local Communities Ordinance with the request that they would take steps to explain the contents of the latter to the inhabitants within their District.
I also called upon the Petitioners to surrender all arms in their possession and they have just gone off to bring them. I am afraid they will not be back before Major Kor, who came here last night, has to leave for Táipó to catch the launch which will take this to Hongkong.
I attach a sketch of the Flag hoisted in front of the larger villages we passed. with a translation of the characters on it. The flags in front of the smaller villages are plain white with no characters on them.
I regret to say that Major WATSON, R.A.M.C., was attacked yesterday by a buffalo and severely hurt, but he is still able to discharge his duties and is all the better this morning for a good night's rest.
In the country through which we passed yesterday--we marched about 15 miles from Ping Shán to Fan Ling--we saw men and women carrying on their farming operations as usual and all the inhabitants--men, women, and children-- have returned to their villages through which we passed, and to Sheung Shui, where we are now staying, and to Fan Ling, which we visited last night.
I met Mr. BADELEY, Deputy Superintendent of Police, at Fan Ling, and he is coming on with me to-day to Wo Hang where we intend to stay to-night. To- morrow we will return to Táipó, unless anything unforeseen occurs to stop us. There are rumours here that resistance may be offered in the neighbourhood of Starling Inlet, which we will reach to-morrow.
I am giving Mr. BADELEY all the information I already have and can gather
regarding the murder.
I examined, in company with Mr. BADELEY and Colonel THE O'GORMAN, yester- day evening a site for a Police Station near the village at Fu Ti Au. One of the leading villagers accompanied us and stated that there would be no real objection to the site we think best, which is admirably situated on a hill, commanding a view of the valley in which we now are and the valley which runs right up to the Sham Chun River.
As regards Police Stations, I think they should be put in hand at once as any delay may only lead to further trouble.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
Enclosure No. 1.
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