Sha Po (
2.
On the 17th December a third bridge (No. 66) near
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was blown up and further serious damage caused.
In this case two of the three 15-ft. steel spans were badly
damaged and the supporting pier so badly cracked that it will
require to be rebuilt.
3.
The claims to be made in accordance with Article
7 (f) of the Working Agreement of 8th September 1911, will,
on the stipulated scale of half the average gross receipts of
the British section for the corresponding month of the
previous year, probably work out at a minimum of about $660
per day during December and the total will of course depend
upon the duration of the stoppage.
4. I would further request that you should bring to
the notice of the Canton Government the fact that claims in
respect of suspension of traffio and demurrage up to the end
of 1928 and still outstanding, to the total amount of
3997,596.21, have been filed against the management of the
Chinese section of the Railway, with a further 311,438.16 for
the period between 1st January, 1929, and the present suspen-
sion of traffic on 13th December.
5.
Although olaime made under the Working Agreement
quoted above must be filed against the Railway authorities, I
would desire that you should emphasize the opinion of this
Government that the responsibility for such wanton aots of
destruction as are enumerated in my second paragraph above
must lie with the Canton Government, upon whom devolves the
duty of providing adequate protection for the permanent way
on the Chinese seotion.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
(SIGNED)
C. CLEMENTI.
Governor, &o.