218
important interests in the question, invited our Manager at Hongkong to take part in the Conference between the Government Officials and the Tramway representatives before the Bill was formulated, and some of the provisions of the Bill were inserted for our protection.
I would suggest as the simplest plan that our Expert Mr. H. D. Wilkinson, M.I.E.E. should meet your Expert, whom I understood you to say was Mr. Trotter of the Board of Trade, and discuss the subject.
If this suggestion is approved, would you kindly advise me, and I will give the necessary instructions to Mr. Wilkinson?
G. W. Johnson Esq:
&c: &c:
Yours faithfully,
Hojas
COLONIAL OFFICE, S.W.
3.
2). The Co. has no prolonged term of License, & no Concession, has but an insecure tenure of life.
&
The Tramway Co. has made an offer of £1,000 & may increase this to £1,500 towards the cost of metallic circuiting; but it is thought that they should contribute at least one third of whatever the cost may eventually turn out to be. They have also offered as an alternative to assist the Telephone Co. to the best of their power, to obtain a license or concession for 25 years, in consideration of the Telephone Co. waiving all claims against them, and bearing the whole cost of metallic circuiting itself. This latter alternative would be preferable for the Telephone Co.
The object of the appeal to the Colonial Secretary in London, under whose consideration the Tramway Bill now is, is to secure the insertion of a clause providing for the partial refund by the Tramway Co. of all expenditure incurred by the Telephone Co. in protecting its system against disturbances introduced by the working of the Tramways. Or preferably to obtain the sanction and support of the Colonial Secretary to the granting of a license or concession for say 25 years in consideration of the Telephone Co. undertaking the expense and work of metallic circuiting, itself.