OJO 1965
77.
Enclosure 3.
C.O
29823
Rr
30 CT 9
585
Copy
Your Excellency.
Subated.
(1) The road should be macadamized
(2) The road should be begun at the Shauk Wan end.
(3) The proposal to have the work tendered for on a lump sum and now on schedule rates is a new departure.
As regards (2) I understand that in April 97, the Jubilee Committee passed a resolution in favour of a commencement being made on the Kennedy Town to Aberdeen section. The estimated cost of this section being $26,475 per mile as against $16,310 and $15,901 per mile for the other section and suggests a doubt whether a road round Mount Davis is worth so large an expenditure and whether the better grading of the Pokfulam Road would not be the more desirable plan.
As regards the proposal to change the usual mode of tenders, it occurs to me that lump sum contract may bring in inferior and less experienced contractors with little capital behind them, to compete.
If a low tenderer of this class succeeds in getting the contract, he may break down or abscond in the middle of the undertaking.
On all these grounds, I submit that the Jubilee Committee should be consulted.
So referred?
(Initialed) T.S.S.,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
8.VIII.98.