415
The work could of course be performed by the Colonial Public Works Department without the aid of any contractors but this would necessitate the purchase by the Local Government of all the requisite boring appliances and machinery. And this entails a very heavy outlay.
I do not consider the work of sufficient magnitude to justify the purchase out and out of this machinery, as there is no probability of being able to resell it after the completion of the tunnel, there being no market in the Colony for such machinery.
There are in this Country Contractors furnished with the latest modern appliances who undertake tunnelling work in foreign Countries and in our Colonies at a pre-agreed price per yard length of tunnel, and should the Secretary of State approve of competitive tenders being obtained from them in the usual way by the Crown Agents acting in conjunction with Mr. Rawlinson, I shall be happy to render any assistance in my power to these gentlemen in order to expedite matters.
As now that the Tai Lam Works have been commenced, I consider it of the greatest importance that the preparations for the forthcoming dry season should be completed in time, as in Hong Kong, the loss of a dry season...