Enclosures 5 & 6.
44
5.
The following day (2nd September) Mr. Chen
accompanied by Mr. N. C. Young, who described himself as the
new Treasurer of the Administration, called at the Colonial
Secretary's Office having previously paid their respects at
Government House, and were informed by the Assistant
Colonial Secretary, in the absence of the Colonial Secretary,
that the steps taken to secure possession of the office were most improper and that, pending the decision of this Government, there must be no further disturbance of the
status quo.
6.
On 3rd September Messrs. Deacons, Solicitors,
made formal application to the Government for approval of Mr. Chen's appointment. Copies of their letter and of the reply which I caused to be sent are enclosed.
7.
I have now been informed by the local
Managers of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company and the Great Northern Telegraph Company, who have been in communication with their Head Offices, that, if I take the necessary steps to close the Office of the Chinese Administration, either temporarily or permanently, the Companies will be prepared to undertake the working pending an agreement with the Canton Goverment as recommended in
my telegram.
enclosed.
8.
Copy of the letter from the Companies is
The service given by the Chinese Telegraph Administration here has been anything but satisfactory.
I enclose a letter forwarded by Mr. Shenton fran a Shame en resident also a report from the Electrical Engineer confirming this complaint of the inefficiency of the land- line as at present run. The latter also sets out the
Enclosure No.7.
Enclosure No.8. Enclosure No. 9.
present