Auf Enclosure No. 21.
The Honourable
J. H. Stewart-Lockhart, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.
Sir,
407
Hongkong, 20th August, 1901,
35250
REC.
RECD OCT 2E
We have the honour to reply to yours of the 18th instant as follows:-
Re Reduced Fares for Soldiers. The fares as already established by the schedule in the Tramway Ordinance are so low and the amount of profitable traffic to be handled is so problematical that the Tramway Company cannot agree to the granting of any further concessions in the way of reduction of fares. The special provisions made for the Police and postmen are made to a comparatively small body of men. The low fares made for Chinese workmen are for certain hours in the morning and evening and as now established will entail a loss upon the Company for this portion of the traffic. The carrying of Soldiers for the fare of the class next below that in which they are travelling cannot be done without loss provided for 1st and 2nd class passengers makes the carrying of these passengers more expensive than the 3rd class which can be crowded in more closely than the other classes. The Soldiers make up such a large part of the European population of the Colony that the granting of reduced fares to them in a place like Hongkong would be a very much more serious matter than in other places where there is a large body of 1st and 2nd class travel to be depended upon and where the number of soldiers would be relatively small. If special privileges are to be granted to the soldiers the loss to the Company must be made up by charging larger fares to the civil portion of the community. It will be the policy of the Company to promote travel on its lines by charging as low fares as is consistent with making a fair profit on its investment and favours granted to one class of people would have to be paid for by the other classes.
Re Construction of sidings etc. in front of War Department property. The Company has no objection to the proposed clause provided the words "or other work" be omitted for these would allow the officers of the War Department to prohibit the construction of the Tramway itself.
Re Telephone Lines. On this subject we would refer you to our letter of 24th July to the Honourable J. Chatham, Acting Director of Public Works.
We have etc.,
(Sgd.) Shewan,
Tomson & Co.