385
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had previously put our case before him by cable):- "for us to appoint an Agent to manage the Oil business on our behalf and that of the Texas Copany of New York, eliminating Reuter Brockelmann & Co."
Now, se to this Agent of ours we had proposed Mr. Hakon Schluter to the Governor, seeing that this gentleman was actually in Hongkong and in order to cause Messrs Reuter Brockelmann & Co. as little inconvenience as possible in regard to thrie staff. To the Colonial Office we had however proposed both Mr. Schluter and-to make doubly sure. Mr. Humphrey Chhethan (in the employ of the said firm in Shanghai) and, as it now appeare, it was well that we did so, because the Governor, or the Hongkong liquidators, refused to cancel
Mr.
Schluter's appointment as assistant to the latter and would therefore have rejected our proposal, had not the Colonial Office previously cabled to the Governor that, falling Mr. Schluter, we would appoint Mr. Sheetham.
We have cabled to the last named gentleman, appointing him our agent and asking him to prepare for proceeding to Hongkong in about four weeks time. As the two gentlemen have known each other for many years (Mr. Cheetham has been with Kes To R. B. & Co. for quite a long time), it goes without saying that they will consult on questions which are not mere matters of routine. We shall thus actually have the advantage of the knowledge and experience of two reliable men, both personally known to us for many years. (Mr. Cheetham is a Lancashire man, between 35 and 40).
We are now enclosing ėriginal and one copy of the Agreement ab ut which we wrote in our last. Barring the elimination of Messrs R. B. & Co. (on the first page) and that
of the words "commencing October 1st 1910" on page 7 clause
19) the Agreement is worded precisely word for word
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as the one now inforce between us. Will you kindly return to us che copy duly signed by you and witnessed.
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A