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The much importance to the appointment of a consulting engineer, an official whose existence is not even contemplated in the Canton-Kowloon Railway agreement.
The engineer-in-chief on the other hand, who has to be proposed and certified by the British and Chinese Corporation as competent for his post, is, under the agreement, responsible for the efficient construction of the railway.
In these circumstances it appears to Sir E. Grey that a consulting engineer of whatever nationality can in no way usurp the functions of the engineer-in-chief, and that the sole duty of the former would be the inspection of material, and this only if authority were delegated to him by the latter, who is supreme in all technical matters.
I am to enclose for Lord Elgin's information a copy of a further letter which has been received from the British and Chinese Corporation on this subject and of the reply which has been despatched thereto.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Faique [illegible text, possibly "Farquhar" or similar]