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REFERENCE
SHEET
ADMIRALTY.
From: Director of Victualling.
Date:
July, 1949.
To: Superintendent,
H.M. Victualling Yard,
Hong Kong.
The claim for $44,907,87 made by the Treasury, Hong Kong, in respect of certain flour requisitioned by the Hong Kong Government and stated to have been delivered to the Naval Yard in December 1941, has been examined in the light of statements obtained from certain officers who were present at the time and have knowledge of the circumstances. Yard submission R/5424/49 of 20th May, 1949 and previous correspondence refers.
2. The evidence obtained does not support payment of this claim in full. It is accepted that, as there was no naval stock of flour, it had been planned to draw siege requirements from the Colony's resources but in the circumstances obtaining at the time this plan could not be fully implemented. It is stated that at the outbreak of hostilities it was agreed that the bulk of the flour should remain with the Food Controller and supplies of two lots of 200 bags each were drawn and delivered into Naval depots these being the only supplies of which there is any recollection. Considerable quantities of bread were, however, drawn up to the date of surrender from a baking organisation set up by the Army at Lane Crawford's bakery. Approval has been given therefore for payment in respect of 400 bags only.
3.
Flour
There is some doubt as to the quantity of flour represented by 400 bags.
The quantity of 335,500 lbs. in 4,400 sacks stated in the copy requisition would suggest sacks containing about 80 lbs. per sack. of Canadian origin, as obtained from Dunbar and Coy., was invariably packed in bags containing 49 lbs. It has however been agreed that payment of $3452.00 may be made for one-eleventh of the cost of the flour, i.e. 400 out of 4,400 sacks. No reason is seen why the Admiralty should be regarded as liable for payment of any part of the interest referred to in the claim.
4.
Please make payment accordingly informing the Hong Kong Treasury of the reasons given in paragraph 2 above for restricting the acceptance of liability to 400 sacks.
:
(Sgd.) C.N.J. LEIGH
DIRECTOR OF VICTUALLING