Enclosure No. 2.
376
From Mr H. A. Belden.
to Messrs Shewan Tomes & Co.
Dear Sirs,
Canton, 25th June, 1901.
Re the correction of the clause providing for the change of gas pipes that might be in the way, so that the Gas Company can undertake this work.
This correction should be satisfactory to the Tramway Company, as the work would be done by men familiar with that class of work and could be done more expeditiously and at a less cost by them than if by men employed by the Tramway Company.
Re the insertion of the Sheffield Clause I think this should be strongly objected to. The Board of Trade rules limiting the loss of potential in the return circuit to 7 volts, were framed by men who made a special study of electrolytic action, and were made for the express purpose of protecting the gas and water mains, and in a measure to protect proposed tramway enterprises from unjust and unnecessary restrictions sought to be imposed by various other interests.
The strict tests of the rail return that are provided for by the B.T. rules, and the records of the same are open to the inspection of the proper Government officials and, so evasion of the rules is possible, and I consider that the insertion of the proposed clause is an unusual and unnecessary hardship, as it opens the way for actions of damages for which the Tramway Company might in no way be responsible. It might be very difficult in some cases to decide, whether a certain corrosion is due to electric action or to the natural corrosion of a pipe buried in the ground. We have no knowledge of the particular conditions or influences that brought about the insertion of the proposed clause in the Sheffield Bill.
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