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in the estimate for interest during construction proving inadequate.
Another important question is the acquisition of the necessary land. It will be remembered how serious and costly the delays connected with the provision of land proved in the case of the Shanghai Nanking Railway.
We have no knowledge whether any or if so how much land has been acquired as yet on the Canton Kowloon Railway.
We must point out that when in our report, that was attached to the Prospectus, it was stated that in our opinion the Railway would be completed as a first class line for the amount provided by the loan &c. we were under the impression we should act as Consulting Engineers as in the case of the Shanghai Nanking Railway; under the circumstances if we are not to be thus appointed, since the method of construction adopted will be entirely outside our control, directly or indirectly, we cannot be responsible for the opinions we expressed. We say this because although we have hitherto acted as Consulting Engineers, e.g. in the selection of staff &c. on the faith of our appointment as such proposed by the British and Chinese Corporation and approved, as we understand, by the Viceroy, subject to modifications in detail, we understand that the Board of Posts and Communications refuses to endorse it.
We have &c. >
(Signed)
J. Wolfe Barry.
A.J. Barry.
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