{
34
getting steadily worse it will probably be necessary in the near future to reduce the speed along this mector still farther to only ten miles an bear, In
other words the journey which Mr. Choy considered should occupy little over three nears, and whieh did until recently occupy only some four hours, will, if this reduction in speed is introduced require some
six hours to complete.
travelling by steamer.
It will be no faster than I:
The lose la receipts will,
on Fr. Chey's computations, be enormous.
Yet the only
apparent reason for the carobeaing Commission being willing to risk sash losses would appear to be the disadvantages which they appear to expect will arise from Beaurs, Bowden Brothers net providing them wi, tia ́exactly the form of guarantee of completion of
contract desired.
9. I am glad to be able to inform you that my
latest information is to the effect that Mr. Lancaster the Chief Accountant of the Shanghai-Hangonow-yingpo Sailway (the funds for the purchase of the sleepera
having been advanced by that line) now seems to be
handling this amtter and not the Purchasing Commission. On Eând Üctober he instructed the jongkong and Shanghai Bank to telegraph to the Bank of Australasia that Bowden srothers were to ship immediately the 6,000 trial sleepers and thereafter 6,000 sleepere monthly,
the question of despoit to be paid by the firm being allowed to remain in abeyance pending farther
negotiationm.
If this arrangement is carried out.
oat,
it/