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the proposed expropriation of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, and to acquaint you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Lyttelton, that Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C., the Counsel who has been retained by the Colonial Government, recommends that the firm of Messrs. Deloitte, Dever, Griffiths and Company, of 4, Lothbury, E.C., should be retained and that, if possible, the personal services of Mr. W. Plender, the senior member of that firm, should be secured.

2. From enquiries that have been made it has been ascertained that Messrs. Deloitte, Dever, Griffiths and Company were retained by the Metropolitan Water Board in the arbitration under which that. Board purchased compulsorily the under- takings of the several Metropolitan Waterworks Companies, and were also employed on behalf of the authority who acquired compulsorily the Rand Waterworks.

3. Mr. Plender gave evidence in the case of the Metropolitan Water Board and his partner, Mr. Maltby, went to South Africa and gave evidence in the Rand Waterworks arbitration.

4. Our solicitors have seen Mr. Plender and ascertained that his firm are willing to accept their retainer, but Mr. Plender himself will be unable to leave England for Singapore in October next He would, however, be prepared to per- sonally superintend any work which ha be done in this country in connection with the Company's accounts and would arrange with Mr. Maltby, who is at present in Johannesburg, to proceed to Singapore about October next and attend the arbi- tration proceedings in the Colony.

:

5. Negotiations are now proceeding with Messrs. Deloitte, Dever, Griffiths and Company as to the terms on which the work would be undertaken.

6. I would add that Mr. Balfour Browne, who was retained in the arbitration proceedings which arose out of the acquisition of the undertakings of the Metro- politan Water Companies and the Rand Waterworks, has recommended the employ- ment of Messrs. Deloitte, Dever, Griffiths and Company being secured.

I have, &c.,

FOR CROWN AGENTS,

A. BERRIEDALE KEITH.

14232.

GENTLEMEN,

COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS.

[Answered by No. 81.]

Downing Street, April 25, 1905. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of March 25th,* I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to inform you that a telegramt has been received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements stating that the selection of an account- ant, in connexion with the proposed expropriation of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, is a matter of urgency, and I am to enquire what steps have been taken with a view to the engagement of a suitable person.

I am, &c.,

13907

SIR,

No. 81.

CROWN AGENTS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received April 27, 1905.)

[Answered by No. 84.]

C. P. LUCAS.

Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W., April 26, 1905.

Straits.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 13096/1905, of the 25th of April,† in regard to the selection of an accountant in connection with

‡ No. 80.

• No. 64.

† No. 77.

(No. 139.)

SIR,

No. 82.

GOVERNOR SIR J. ANDERSON to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received April 29, 1905.)

Government House, Singapore, April 6, 1905.

I HAVE the honour to transmit, for your information, a copy of the "Tanjong Pagar Dock Bill" as amended in Committee.

2. The third reading will be taken on Friday, the 7th instant, and I propose to assent to it.

3. You will observe that an addition has been made to section 4 to make it clear that the Company would be able to maintain a claim for compensation paid to officers and servants and others who may suffer direct pecuniary loss by the transfer of the undertaking. In view of the provisions of the Metropolis Water Act and of the Port of London Bill, I felt it would be impossible to refuse to make it clear that some compensation would be paid to those who may be disestablished, and I drafted the clause with a view to allow full opportunity for the submission of any claims to the Court, without admitting any obligation on the Government to pay compensation where it would not have been payable by the Company. At the same time I think that in such a matter any hardship or loss to individuals should if possible be avoided, and that fair and reasonable compensation should be paid in every case where either a legal or moral claim can be established.

4. An amendment has been made in section 10 to make it clear that the Directors may agree with the Government as to the price to be paid, as there was some doubt whether under the Articles of Association they had power to do so,

20500

T 2

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

CEPLERIC.O. 882

8 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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