47
COPY.
30369
The Hongkong Mercantile Co., Ltd.
RECE
Hongkong, 11th fats.
Apr
PES 27,916.
sir,
On the 10th. March we sent a telegram to our London
Buying Agents, Messrs. Norman, Clarke, Dunlop & Co., Ltd., request: -ing them to ship us 500 tons Enthoven lead and/or "L.B." lead, but we have received a telegraphic reply to the affect that the necessary export permit could not be obtained.
We have been assured by our brokers that at least
two firms in this Colony (Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., and Messrs. J. R. Michael & Co.) have recently been either sell- -ing or booking orders for forward delivery of lead from England. We understand that only on Thursday last, the 6th. instant, the 8. S. "Gleniffer" brought nearly 4,000 pigs of lead from London for Messrs. J. R. Michael & Co.
K
•
If the information furnished to us is correct and
we have no reason to believe that it is not we feel that we have been placed in a most disadvantageous position, not only in
pegari regard to the particular matter in question but in
Me to our business generally with the local dealers. We can attribute this unfavourable treatment of our agents' application by the Home Authorities to the fact that our firm, being a new concern, is not
as well known to them as the two firma mentioned.
We have therefore the honour to invoke the kind
assistance of the Government in whatever manner they may deem
proper to accord us.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.
We have etc.,
(sd.) R. H. Kotewall,
Manager, The Hongkong Mercantile
..itd.