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Hongkong for similar operations.
15.
With regard to the question of the comparative advantages of destinating the Praya in one or two large contracts by skilled English Contractors, or in the manner that has hitherto prevailed in the Colony by small contracts let to Chinese Contractors, it should not be lost sight of that an English or European Contractor, though an English ... would doubtless expect a larger profit to induce him to carry out work so far from home,
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on the other hand, under good management this would be more than compensated for by the large saving in time and money by this method, as his Engineers and Agents ... I have thought it my duty to call attention to this matter, so that the whole system adopted by Government, may be duly considered, and such a system shall tend to attain a maximum of economy in time and money.
16.
I would in conclusion ... out that the form of construction now recommended, viz: the use of concrete blocks in the lower portion of the wall, may, by laying the foundations deeper, provide ready accommodation for ... junks, boats, and steam launches, and if necessary larger vessels may lie alongside the wall at any point on the line of the Praya where such accommodation may be demanded to meet the requirements of the trade of Canton. This may be effected by judicious organisation, and the carrying out of machinery operations by native contractors under the responsibility of the Engineering Staff, which devolves not only the work of superintendence, but a great deal more than that which in ordinary practice is performed by the contractor, as on the Port.
I have ...
(Signed) S. Brown,
Surveyor General.