COLONIAL
54403/15
Secretariat ref: 23/641/50
PRIORITY
SAVING
From the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
To the Officer Administering the Government of
HONG KONG.
Date 5th January, 1952.
No. 25
Saving.
CONFIDENTIAL
*
My Saving No. 1157 Confidential of the
15th November, 1951.
Fertilizer Factory.
I attach a copy of a letter received from the Crown Agents concerning Mitchell Engineering Ltd. You will see that the firm is described as "a suitable organization for collaboration in the manufacture of the actual plant required" and forms part of the Mitchell Engineering Group, which is described as "a substantial organization”.
2. I feel that it would be of value if this letter and the fertilizer project in general were discussed with Dr. Herklots, the Secretary for Colonial Agricultural Research, who, as you know, is visiting Hong Kong from the 11th - 26th January. Particular points which seem to require further consideration are
(a) Whether there is anyone available in
Hong Kong to collate, verify or expand the miscellaneous data available.
(b) Whether the pilot scheme already working in
Hong Kong is sufficient to base a bigger scheme on, or whether it will have to be expanded.
(c) Whether a suitably qualified scientific acviser
could be obtained, or is available, since it would seem desirable to have some check on the consultant contractors.
3. I would be obliged if you would thereafter inform me whether you wish Mitchell's to be employed to advise as in (a) and (b) of paragraph 3 of your saving No. 1208 Confidential of the 31st October, 1951, subject to the proviso in paragraph 5 of the same saving.
SECER.
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