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generally were obtaining practically their own prices for work.
Unfortunately, the Father of the present Chan A Tong died in
the year 1904 and the son carried on the work. He could have
completed the work within a reasonable time and profited by it,
but when a Contractor never attempts to visit an important
work for months, and then after being informed time after time
of great delay as well as excessive waste of materials and
labour and also fails to make any attempt to remedy matters,
there is surely only one ending - no men even if he be a mil-
lionaire could conduct his business on such a basis as the
present Chan A Tong and expect to profit by it.
For years past, dating back to the beginning of the year
1905 when obvious delay occurred, a weekly return form was
initiated shewing the quantity of stone delivered and the number
of Dasons daily employed on site, this form was submitted week
by week since that date to the Hon. D.P.W.
Monthly reports were also forwarded as to the progress
made with the work, and stating the number of men engaged in
various trades.
In addition to the above there have been numerous minutes,
the matter has also been referred to in C.S.0.'s eto, eto.
One may justly ask with what result? Surely my time can
be better employed than doing such clerical work, it is obvious
that if I am writing minutes, reports etc. etc. that other
work is delayed.
As far back as the year 1905 Mr. Jones then acting D.P.W.
threatened Chan A Tong to determine the contract unless better
progress were made.
I attach copy of a letter marked "A" from the Contractor
dated 5th June 1905 also minutes in relation to game - it will
be observed that this letter is in the same tone as the numerous !
letters received from him during the years 1910 and 1911. A11