Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 578

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30. The Naval detachment returned to-day and I intimated to Davison that bis assistance could now be dispensed with, thanking him for the aid he had so promptly rendered in a time of need.

31. At about 2 p.m. Mr. STEWART LOCKUART received a petition from a woman and her son praying for redress on account of the murder of her husband and the boy's father. Her statements were that TANG A CHEUNG, her husband, had been sent from Hongkong about the middle of the mouth, with the Governor's Proclamation with instructions to distribute copies in the villages in the P'ing Shán, Un Long, and Kam Tin Districts. On arrival near Un Long he was seized and kept a pri- soner for a day and a half. In the meantime certain ringleaders sat in council at the Un Long Meeting-house and, after deliberation, they hired a man to murder him. The unfortunate creature was cruelly beaten, shot (3 wounds in the body), tied in a pig basket and thrown into a creek.

32. By 10 a.m. a large number of elders of many villages assembled to pre- sent petitions praying for mercy and forgiveness. They assured us that they had been led away by bad characters, that they sincerely repented of their errors, and promised future good behaviour. All day long petitions kept pouring in and men gave voluntary evidence betraying the origin of the revolt, the names of the ring- leaders, and the measures taken by them to stir up a rising.

33. We proceeded to Un Long in the afternoon. We found some damning documentary evidence in the Meeting-house. We returned to camp about dark.

34. Proclamations were issued by Mr. STEWART LOCKHART assuring the people of our desire to protect them and directing all the villagers to return to their houses and resume the cultivation of their lands. By every possible means we endeavoured to restore order and confidence and with success far beyond our hopes.

35. It now became evident that a large force in the Hinterland bad become unnecessary, and when Your Excellency ordered me to reduce my numbers to 200 men, "unless grave and urgent reasons to the contrary should exist," I felt that, in complying, the reduction would not imperil the safety of our position.

36. A few days later I recommended a still further reduction to 100 men, a measure which Your Excellency approved.

37. It seems unnecessary to chronicle in detail the unimportant events that succeeded my return to Táipó on the 27th ultimo. Peace had been restored in the Western portion of the district, and with judicious treatment it was fair to assume that a like confidence would soon be felt in British good Government in the Northern portion of the Territory. These anticipations are being realized to the full. Petitions have been presented from some 200 villages in the New Terri- tory.

38. To the Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary, is due the admirable results that have been attained in the Civil administration of this Territory during this brief state of turmoil; his measures have been taken with great energy and ability and in a manner that, long experience has shown him, were suitable to the occasion. The result has been a most complete success.

Only those on the spot can realize the amount of labour and care he has devoted from early morning till late at night to the discharge of these trying duties.

A most hearty co-operation has existed throughout between us and no differ- ence of opinion on any one point has arisen.

39. In conclusion, I wish to say that great care has been taken to keep the Troops in good health and that the Medical Officer with me, Major WATSON, K.A.M.C., has assisted most efficiently to this end.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

To His Excellency

THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING,

China and Hongkong.

N. V. O'GORMAN.