1941-09-09 — Page 36

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THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 9, 1941

GOVERNMENT WARNED OF PROBABLE TIMBER PRICE RISE

CONTINUING HIS evidence before the Commission enquiring into certain matters in connection with the Air Raid "Precautions Architectural Department in the Council Chamber this morning, Mr. W. F. Carman, of Messrs. Marsman, Hong Kong, China, Efd,. told the Commission that in September 1940, he predicted a rise in the price of timber.

i

Acting on that, Mr. Carman said, he ad- vised Government, through Messrs. Camp- bell and Pearce, to see if certain measures could be taken to offset any likely increase, either through buying up stocks then, or in- troducing some sort of control.

That warning was not heeded, Mr. Carman went on.

In answer to the Chairman of] the Commission, Mr. Justice P. E. F. Cressall, he agreed that hod] they done so, a considerable sav- ing would have been effected.

the fest witness to testify was

When the hearing was resumed,

E. W. Blackmore who said that,'

as requested yesterday afternoon, he bad brought with him corres pondence relative to an order he had received for making 10,000] concrete blocks.

What tunnels were they used in? -I cannot say.

Were they used in the Hong Kong Bank tumnel? I think not.

-10-MILES IN

10 HOURS

An RAF. squadron leader, forced down in the Channel, paddled ten miles in ten hours 'in. rubber dinghy, steering by the sun,

till he was picked up.

He had led a fighter squadron.during-a raid on Cherbourg, shot down : two German fighters over the Channel, and had his own plane damaged.

From where did you purchase these 5:000 pieces? They were 0000000000000000001 from Kin Lee, at $5.20 per plece.

Lowe Bingham and Matthews, in checked by three persons. and Mr. Campbell. Each voucher

"No Way Of Knowing"

Do you know whether these 5,000 pieces were available in Transport ""Monopoly” September, 1040? There is no way of knowing.

The chairman then referred Mr. Carman to previous evidence Those belonged to the Chinese in which he said that several Government, didn't they? I be firms did his transportation. "Isee Chairman: In a letter, dated teve all sleepers in Hong Kong that Oriental Transportation, did September. 9, 1940, the Director, originally belonged to the "Chin-most of the work. Here is an Air Raid Precautions, confirms ese Government.

+ item - $4,432.08 and -in going the order for the 10,000 blocks Which employee in your firm through your statement, no other and. also confirms the order for an did the buying of timber?-Mr. de company is mentioned. additional 10,000 blocks?—That is Broekért.

So,

So that the order came from the Director, A.R.P.? Yes.

"Reduced Prices

Mr. Blackmore was then told he would not be required further for the day, but just before..he left, Mr. G. G. N. Tinson, who' had entered an appearance on behalf of Wing-Comdr. A. H. Steele-Perkins, asked permission to put some questions to witness, Chairman: Certainly, what are your questions?

And all the purchases were Mr. Carman;-In the beginning made by him?-He discussed the we had trouble with transporta- matter with Mr. Campbell first tion. We had a check on the site and Mr. Campbell authorised him and found Oriental Transporta- to do the buying.

tion the most efficient, and I pre- You know that there was a con-sume that they were alloweď1 ta siderable stock of timber at that carry on. date?

Yes.

Did Mr. Campbell approve of Oriental Transportulion Com Suggestion To Govt. pany? Yes.

Am 1 correct in saying that they Then why didn't you buy tim-got three-quarters of the work. ber at that time? I had discussed in April, they got $7,698 and going the matter with Mr. Campbell and up to July they are still here?- suggested the price was going up, They are still employed by us.

I further suggested that Govern. You will agree with "me" that "Mr. Tinson (to witness): The ment should do something to con- this company got three-quarters first letter you received from the trol the price and to make a sure of the work? A great proportion. Director, ARP, was dated Sep-vey of all the timber yards in Chairman: Well over threa tember 3, 1940 and after that you Hong Kong.

--quarters. " j had an interview with Comdr. Steele Perkins?—Yes,

What did Mr. Campbell dó?— Were Many other companies He suggested that to Government. asked?--I believe there were;;- When you speak of Govern- T: (Continaed-on:Page13)

And it was a result of the in- terview: that you made certain reductions in prices? Yes, fromment, you mean the FWD. don't you, or which department?-That 67.ats to 63, and 23. cts to 20. |suggestion was made to:MrCamp..

At this stage Mr. Davidson in-bell and Mr. Pearce, formed the chalermp that since the previous day he had ascertain ed that Concrete Products were, technically, a subsidiary of Mars- man's.

Mr. Faber

Mr. Corman then continued his evidence and the chairman asked him: In part of your evidence yesterday you said; that the reason why your firm was given the con tract for tunnelling was because you specialised in this kind of work? I believe so...

WASNIT THERE A GENTLE MAN BY NAME OF MR. FABER WHO COULD DO THE JOB TOQ? MR. FABER IS A CONSUL- TANT ENGINEER;

And in spite of that they did not take your advice?- I presume not,

Would it be correct to say tha had they done so the price of timber would' l'have been lower and a considerabile saving would have been effected?-Undoubtedly Rayments To Govt.

There are three items in this disembursement sheetDecember 1 to December 15, 1940 - Hong Kong Government $4,857.82. $4,092 and $1,530. What are they for? Those are for dynamite.

C. T. Yuan, $9,448,97, $14.20 and 89)178.37; what are those three items?All payrolls for the He has done the work though? week ending December 10. Yes, believe ao, in Blake Who is this fellow Yuan? He Dardens, GNT TE

was the paymaster. He would Has the work bean compoted?- sign the receipt. The cheque was Yes, but at the time there were a made out to him and the cash number of slides and 1 thought| placed in envelopes and taken to the work: had tbeon vabandaned the site. The amount was check-

ed by Mr Campbell and certife as the payroll to-date,

Kin Leo *

What about the tunnels on the Kowloon side, are they not done by a firmalled Kin Lee? Yes. card was taken to the

Well then, Kin Lae were another firm who could have done the job? At that time I did not know any Chinese firm was capable find that was why: Itnsleted there was to be no subcontracting in the work we undertook, MONTANANTA

How is Kin Leo paid, on a cost plus basis? I do not know but I have heard that it was 80.

Mr. Carman said that each man had a card and anumber,

THE-

OCEAN

-ACCIDENT-

GUARANTEE CORPORATION. LIMITED

The

GOLFER'S POLICY

entered, and when torr ed the basis for the cal each workman's salary.

Chairman: ----Iištiil Fido' rotunded why the cheque was mad him? It was upash and the money was ttirnød him. It was a matter of oflee routine,

vorta

“Did this happen wookly?--Yes, The chairman then asked. Mr. Whython dil you samotimes. Carman whether he had producéd have the item, "Pay roll wnals figures for the purchases of timber ending..." Why did you mbt

do the same in cvory instance?— and witness handed up alist,

Chairman: I see that in April It was just done so that all pay you purchased 5,000 pieces of ments are supported by vouchers, timber?--Yes,

checked by Mr. Lloyd, Messra.

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