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With regard to the specific case of delay in ordering materials which is mentioned by "Mr.Fox, Mr.Liang explained that some time ago he had asked Fr.Pincer for a list of the articles which the Tongshan Worke were in position to supply to the Canton-Kowloon railway, but in the list provided bridge caissons were mentioned, but when "Mr.Kinder was applied to for the caissons he was unable to make them for Canton. Afterwards tenders for the caissons were called for from the principal foreign and native industrial concerns in China. Mr.Kinder informs me privately that he refused to make them because the time given was too short, and because such things should be made as near the site of the bridge as possible, to avoid handling after completion. In his view the caissons can be made as quickly in Hongkong as in Europe, and no special firm is required to construct them. Mr.Kinder, whose long experience in China gives weight to his opinion, has always favoured the policy of utilizing all materials available in the country and has avoided ordering things from Europe which could be procured or made on the spot.
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