183
but he declined to consent to the appointment of "egsrs.
Barry as consulting engineers to the line.
Yesterday I had a long interview with Fis
Excellency Liang Shih-yl at which the whole question
vas discussed in detail. As on previous occasions, he
fave me clearly to understand that the Chinese Covern-
ment were much disappointed with the advice they
received from Messrs.Barry in connection with the
Shanghai-Nanking railway, the estimates of which had
been rexised at least three times and had always proved
insufficient. He politely but firmly declined to sanction
their appointment as consulting engineere, but he was
otherwise prepared to adhere to the promise he had
previously given me that he would follow, as clearly
as possible, the practice of the Torthern Railways.
Although they could not be designated consulting
engineers, Yesere.harry would be entrusted with the
inspection of all materials ordered in England and
would receive remuneration on the usual terme.
I pointed out that this did not quite fulfil the
condi ions obtaining on the "orthern Railways, where I
understood two London Tirms received annual retainers
of