CAB11-57-2 — Page 96

Page 96

Page 96

20

Appendix No. 1.

CONVENTION.

Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong.

Whereas it has for many years past been recognized that an extension of Hong Kong territory is necessary for the proper defence and protection of the Colony :

It has now been agreed between the Governments of Great Britain and China that the limits of British territory shall be enlarged under lease to the extent indicated generally on the annexed map. The exact boundaries shall be hereafter fixed when proper surveys have been made by officials appointed by the two Governments. The term of this lease shall be 99 years.

It is at the same time agreed that within the City of Kowloon the Chinese officials now stationed there shall continue to exercise jurisdiction except so far as may be inconsistent with the military requirements for the defence of Hong Kong. Within the remainder of the newly leased territory Great Britain shall have sole jurisdiction. Chinese officials and people shall be allowed as heretofore to use the road from Kowloon to Hsinan.

It is further agreed that the existing landing place near Kowloon City shall be reserved for the convenience of Chinese men-of-war, merchant and passenger vessels, which may come and go and lie there at their pleasure; and for the convenience of movement of the officials and people within the city.

When hereafter China constructs a railway to the boundary of the Kowloon terri- tory under British control, arrangements shall be discussed.

It is further understood that there will be no expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the district included within the extension, and that if land is required for public offices, fortifications, or the like official purposes, it shall be bought at a fair price. If cases of extradition of criminals occur, they shall be dealt with in accordance with the existing treaties between Great Britain and China and the Hong Kong Regulations.

The area leased to Great Britain, as shown on the annexed map, includes the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay, but it is agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise, shall retain the right to use those waters.

This Convention shall come into force on the 1st day of July, 1898, being the 13th day of the 5th moon of the 24th year of Kuang-Hsü. It shall be ratified by the Sove- reigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible.

In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present agreement.

Done at Peking in quadruplicate (4 copies in English and 4 in Chinese) the 9th day of June in the year of our Lord, 1898, being the 21st day of the 4th moon of the 24th year of Kuang-Hsü.

४

(Sd.) (Sd.)

CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.

LI (HUNG-CHang).

HSU (YING-KUEI).

(L. S.)

Seal of Tsungli Yamen.

Appendix No. 1a.

REPORT ON THE HARBOURS IN MIRS BAY, by COMMANDER DE HORSEY, R.N. 1. Starling Inlet. Good anchorage in 4 fms. Head of bay too shallow for purposes of navigation. If road be brought down to either side of bay on parallel 114° 14′ 30′′ E. ships drawing 21 feet of water could lie alongside a short pier.

2. Crooked Harbour. Good protected anchorages in 6 to 7 fms. Useful only 3. Double Haven. for fishing requirements.

4. Anchorage under Pingchau Island. Good anchorage in 7 fms., but much taken up with fishing stakes and unimportant for line of communication.

route.

5. Plover Cove. Very good anchorage in all weathers in 43 fms., but out of trade

Page 96

Page 96