76
Hongkong representative a letter of introduction to General
Chang, but the price asked included a commission which was
considered excessive, and the Department eventually placed
a contract with a British firm named Boyd and Company for
ten Avro Avian landplanes.
7. The Canton authorities, largely owing to their
own devious methods of doing business, had been badly
swindled over a previous transaction for the purchase
of French machines, and were anxious to avoid a repetition
of that incident. They insisted that the contract should
be signed at the Consulate and they asked if the Consulate
would guarantee its performance. I explained to them that
His Majesty's Government would accept no responsibility
for the performance of private contracts, but that I had
ascertained through the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank that
Boyd and Company were a respectable firm of good financial
standing and I advised that adequate precautions should
be taken to secure the return of the advance deposit
n places.
in the event of the firm being unable to deliver the
For purposes of record I enclose copies of the
contract as eventually signed and the accompanying corres-
pondence regarding the deposit at the Hongkong & Shanghai
Bank. The manager of the bank assures me that this
should safeguard the interests of both parties and avoid
any contretemps damaging to the credit of the British trade in
aircraft, which it is hoped that this transaction will
inaugurate.
I have, etc.,
(sa) J. F. Brenan.
Acting Consul-General.