I am in Hong Kong. The expense of sending a man from home would be great. Packages of pipes could be sent from home or India could spare. Ceylon if they have them.
Expense for a time. Food by hydraulic Expeditor, Mayor McHair's leave requires Reust but I doubt whether he is competent to give the advice required. His attempts to bring water into the Town of Singapore have been unfortunate and such money has been wasted. I believe that Captain Duncan M.E. the Asst. Engineer at Singapore, who is now acting for Major McHair, would be thoroughly competent to undertake this work could be spared from Ceylon on Major McHair's return, if the Railway works are not to be undertaken.
I find that he is competent and could be spared. Anyone here.
19.11
I do not think that Ceylon would be hard to Rumibeday. I should suppose that the matter is within his capabilities and that he would not understaff.
Capt...
Page 6
The expense of sending a man from home is too great that I think it not necessary to wait while a telegram (at the cost of Hong Kong) & Straits Settlements Captain can visit Hong Kong & advise on improvement of waterworks. He would recommend sent from home.
Mutt hor 13/12
I do not think that Captain Duncan could be spared from the Straits until Major McHair's return in February next, more especially as Sattuthwaite has recently succeeded his appointment as Assistant Engineer. I do not think that this short delay would be productive of much inconvenience.
Aus 15-11
I think it will be desirable in the first instance to forward this dispatch and request for Robinson to consider the subject with reference to previous correspondence on the water supply of Hong Kong, and his opinion on the result now reported.
Rm 19/11