(239)
SIR,
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT,
5th December, 1883.
As you are well aware, the Editor of the Hongkong Telegraph has been for some time past levelling
charges of corruption against the Officers of this department, and recently went so far as to state that the
subordinate officers, whilst practically admitting these charges, retorted that you yourself "kept the good things to your own cheek."
In the recent proceedings in the Supreme Court instituted by you against Mr. FRASER-SMITH, in which you gave him ample opportunity of supporting his charge of personal corruption against yourself, and which at the trial he did not attempt to prove, Mr. FRASER-SMITH appears to have reiterated his charges
against the department, and as from our numbers and for other reasons we are unable to have recourse to
the same tribunal for vindicating our honour and character in public, we think that we are entitled to a Government enquiry, and that Mr. FRASER-SMITH should be made to substantiate or withdraw any charges
he may have made against us.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
(Signed)
E. BOWDLER,
Assistant Surveyor General.
J. ORANGE,
Resident Engineer, Tai-tam Water-works,
H. ROBERTSON BEST,
Assistant Engineer.
W. ST. JOHN H. HANCOCK,
Land Surveyor.
CHAN A-FOOK,
Second Clerk,
WM. GOULBOURN,
Tai-tam Water-works.
EDWARD ROSE,
Overseer Water-works.
Kow CHU SEUNG,
Chinese Clerk and Interpreter.
LAM SEE,
Assistant Interpreter.
J. E. HOWROYD,
Clerk of Works.
HUGH MCCALLUM,
Honourable J. M. PRICE,
Surveyor General.
Sanitary Inspector.
JAMES CLERIHEW,
Inspector of Nuisaners,
J. R. GRIMBLE,
Inspector of Nuisances.
GEORGE RAE,
Inspector of Nuisances,
E. MCLEOD,
Overseer.
M. GUTIERREZ.
J. G. GUTIERREZ.
A. D. MACHADO.
JAMES CRAMP,
Clerk of Works.
J. M. BUTLER.
JOHN DAVIS.
JOHN MINHINNETT.