120-
accompany have. 2.
Messrs. Shewan Tomes & Co.,
Agente,
Green Island Cement Co., Ltd
Hongkong,
ARRÁBIETY
384
20th February, 1914.
CANTON.
Dear Sirs,
Referring to your letter of the 18th instant
enclosing copy of a letter addressed by Fr.Jamieson to Sir Henry
May, we regret to see that Mr.Jamieson is of opinion that the
contractors are to an extent responsible for the delay in the
settlement of the limestone question.
We can hardly agree with this, as quite recently
a contractor was in to see us and he said he can get no satis-
faction as to the tax payable from either the local Magistrate
or the Civil Covernor. When he applies to the local Magistrate
he is told that he cannot settle the tax, if any, and is re-
ferred to the Civil governor. He gees to the Civil Governor who
in turn refers him to the local "apiatrate. We do not see there-
fore how any blame can be attached to the contractors.
As to Bonding & responsible foreigner to the
limestone district, we would willingly do this if we thought
that it would avail anything. We think H.".Consul has far better means of finding out the exact position of affairs than we have, and we do not think any foreigner could obtain more information from the local Kagistrate than the contractors are able to do.
Yours faithfully,
sd.
Showan Tomes & Co.
fioneral Managers.