the cement was of good quality and that nothing but the best cement should be used, and that he had no other motive whatever.
I myself had a casual conversation, but there was nothing to lead him to infer that such cement would be needed on the Jaitain Water works.
Outside contractors should pay attention to the quality of the cement, and Mr. Orange would have been neglecting his duty had he not made the periodical tests of the cement to ascertain whether it had not deteriorated on the way out or in the godowns. The Royal Engineers always test their cement.
Even if cement had been produced here and had proved to be equal to English cement, there is a probability that it would be used on the Laitam Works as well as being used in the dam, and it was possible, and therefore known that only English cement was to be used throughout. Mr. Orange's question was whether the Government would be a customer for any local cement which might be manufactured here.
The matter was discussed between Mr. Orange and myself. The Government wants to support the local market for cement here; local cement manufacture would not be dependent on the Government's support.
I had already written to Mr. Orange at the Office, calling his attention to the Colonial Office Regulation, when I received Mr. Stewart's letter. In reply, Mr. Orange told me that he had taken steps to remove the name from the list of directors.
I am aware that Mr. Orange takes a great scientific and professional interest in the development of manufactures and industries here, and I entirely approved of his endeavours to assist the Cement Company with his scientific information.
I conceived that the development of all manufactures and industries here was desirable.