Hephone No 1823,
Address."
6901
Telegraphic Codes; Mi Neills, AB.C. & Liebers,
C. O.
15700
Tatographic Aldros. Tradions Birmingham Telephone Buildings.
Birmingham 2828/874.
ALFRED DICKINSON & CO
Civil, Mechanical & Electrical,
Consulting Engineers.
•
RECd
APR 9th 08.
To/
The Under Secretary of State.
Colonial Office.
London.
Sir:-
Hong Kong Tramways.
In 1902 we had the pleasure of submitting for the consideration and approval of your Department a complete specification for the construction and equipment of the above tramways.
In your favour No 1854 of the 6th February 1903 you were good enough to inform us that your Department had been advised by the Board of Trade that the system of tramways we proposed was well adapted to Hong Kong.
However, in the matter of the form of permanent way construction you intimated that the question of the depth of concrete to be used was to be decided by the Government of Hong Kong, acting upon the advice of the Director of Public Works of that Colony.
We therefore despatched one of our engineers to Hong Kong with instructions to settle with the Director of Public Works the form of permanent way construction to be employed.
From the various cablegrams and letters we have received it appears that the Director of Public Works, acting upon what he deems to be the instructions of your Department, is insisting upon a form of permanent way construction which entails the use, in instances, of a bed of concrete 14" in thickness and in other instances 12" in thickness between the rails and 18" outside thereof.
This form of construction