380
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IV.
Eastern Extension Company's Cable
to Labuan & Singapore
Copy Agreement of 28th.October, 1893 between the Right
Honourable The Secretary of State for the Colonies and
The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph
Company Limited for the Submarine Telegraph Cable con-
necting Hong Kong with Labuan and Singapore.
Agreement made the 28th. day of October,
1893, Between The Most Honourable The
Marquess of Ripon, &c., Secretary of
State for the Colonies of the one part,
and the Bastern Extension Australasia and
China Telegraph Company Limited (hereinafter
called the Company) of the other part.
Whereas it is expedient that the existing telegraphic
communication with Hong Kong should be strenthened by
the laying of a second submarine telegraph cable between
Singapore and Hong Kong without touching at any point
not in British Territory and conncting Labuan en route.
And Whereas the Company are prepared to provide
lay, and work such a cable forthwith at their own cost
on the conditions hereinafter expressed. It is hereby
agreed as follows:-
Article 1.-- The Company will at their own coat
and as promptly as possible, provide and lay a submarine
telegraph cable connecting Singapore, and Hong Kong, and
will work and maintain the same in good condition (save
in cases of force majeure) for the term of twenty-five
years from the date thereof, and upon the same terms and
(10
conditions as the existing cables of the Company except
so far as the same terms and conditions are varied by this Agreement in respect.of the new cable,
Article 2. During the term of this Agreement all messages on the service of the Imperial Government
or of the Colonial Government of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, or Labuan, may be sent over any line owned
or controlled by the Company at one half the rate paid
by the public.
Article 3.-- Her Majesty's Government will invite
the Colonial Governments of Hong Kong, the Straits Set-
tlements, and. Labuan, to provide that the Company's
repairing steamers and all cables, cable apparatus
telegraphic instruments, and materials which are used
solely for the purposes of the Company in laying,
repairing, or working the new cable shall, during the
term of this Agreement, be exempt from payment of port
and light dues at Hong Kong, Singapore, and Labuan,
Article 4,-- In consideration of the engagement
entered into by the Company in this Agreement, and of
the strict fulfilment thereof, Her Majesty's Government
undertakes to secure the Company against competition
to the extent following, that is to say: -
Her Majesty's Government will not during the term
of this Agreement lay, nor grant nor permit to be granted
any concession or authority for laying any new submarine
cables connected with Hong Kong, Singapore, or Labuan
(whether in competition with the cables of the Company
or not) unless such new cables should in the opinion
of Her Majesty's Government be found necessary in the
public interest of Great Britaia, Hong Kong, the Straits
Settlements, or Labuan, or in the general interests of
international telegraphic communication. Provided Always