Colonial Off: Segretariat A:
Ref: 54403/15/51.
23/641/50.
SAVINGRAM
To the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
Date 31st October 1951
No. 1208.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Your confidential savingram No.991 of 2nd October.
Fertilizer Factory.
I must express my regret at the unfortunate course events have taken in the negotiations regarding this composting factory and the resultant difficulties in which you were placed.
2.
When I made my request in the last paragraph of my despatch 136 of 12th December 1950 that Mitchell Engineering Limited be approached for the services of Mr. L. P. Brunt, I had intended that he should come here as a representative of Mitchell's and not as an independent advisor. Previous correspondence had taken place between my Director of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Mitchell Engineering Limited in order to get information necessary to decide on an official approach. Unfor- tunately the fact that Brunt was being engaged independently was not appreciated from your telegram 205 of 9th February, 1951, with the result that it was only when Brunt was on the point of leaving Hong Kong that this Government really became aware that he had not at his disposal the requisite staff in London to prepare the estimates and plans required. I fear that Brunt took advantage of our approach in order to further his personal interests.
3. I however wish to proceed with this scheme if it is at all possible, and in the circumstances it seems, subject to your advice, that the only practicable course is to resume megotiations with Mitchell Engineering Limited, referring to the previous correspondence on their files with Hong Kong and asking whether on the basis of Brunt's preliminary report they can advise (a) whether a workable scheme for a composting factory in this Colony can be produced and (b) what the cost is likely to be.
40 It should be explained to them that estimates of costs are required only to the extent necessary for this Govern- ment to be able to submit a Colonial Development and Welfare application for financial assistance.
5.
Before deciding whether or not to ask Mitchell's formally to advise as in (a) and (b) above, I would re ed to know RAR'S OFFICE at their fee would be for this. I do not wish until I have an
estimate of the cost to be committed to carrying out a composting scheme, for which reason I do not think this is a case in which
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r the normal fees of the Association of Consulting Engineers should
be charged. If a Colonial Development and Welfare grant is ultimately made, Mitchell's would presumably be asked to prepare full plans and be engaged as this Government's consulting engineers at the usual fees.
6.
I enclose herewith a memorandum from the Director of Public Works enclosing additional information which Mitchell's will need in connection with (a) and (b).
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AC.
CONFIDENTIAL
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