Will you let me see the earlier papers. What was the total cost originally sanctioned?
CPL 25 Mr Lucas 42624
The total cost according to Mr Chatham is $835,000 net. A sum of £267,000 apparently refers to the Kowloon scheme and does not include the other large works for which definite estimates are not yet available, but see $780,425-77. They say that the works shortly to be undertaken, but the complete works will clearly cost a great deal more.
See Mr Johnson's Minute on 40123. It is proposed to proceed at once. CPL 28 Estimates are in 520. They said $150,000 more.
(x)–1809-3000-8-01 Lucas MM As you wished, I saw Major Cameron, who professed to have little knowledge of the matter and rather doubted whether Mr Chadwick had much. It has been ascertained that the latter has not yet seen Mr Chatham but he will do so before submitting his report.
I think we might wait a little for the report before telegraphing. Unfortunately, Mr Chadwick works slowly and it will take a long time. Stopping and restarting would involve difficulties if they proceed with the work on its present lines and then have to increase the width later.
We might wait a week. CPL 30 Write to Crown Agents in any case. Before telegraphing, we would be glad to receive Mr Chadwick's full report and to be assured that he has conferred with Dr Chatham on the matter as a considerable sum seems to be involved. The correspondence indicates that Mr Chadwick has had some doubt on the matter.
CP2 31