CO129-007 - Sir John Davis - 1844 — Page 36

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

34

Contract, for I consider, if I retain a certain per-centages upon the work executed, I shall always have the power in my hands to deal with him accordingly; and besides, it is difficult, and has hitherto been found impossible, to procure solvent and eligible contractors; for almost all Contracts hitherto entered into with Chinamen have been obliged to be finished by Government, for the Works were taken at too low an Estimate; and the consequence was, when the parties found they would become losers, both Contractor and Sureties were heavily involved and in some instances they were imprisoned; but still the Public Service suffered.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Signed) [illegible],

Acting Surveyor General.

(True copy)

Frederick W. Bruce

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34 Contract, for I consider, if I retain a certain per-centages upon the work executed, I shall always have the power in my hands to deal with him accordingly; and besides, it is difficult, and has hitherto been found impossible, to procure solvent and eligible contractors; for almost all Contracts hitherto entered into with Chinamen have been obliged to be finished by Government, for the Works were taken at too low an Estimate; and the consequence was, when the parties found they would become losers, both Contractor and Sureties were heavily involved and in some instances they were imprisoned; but still the Public Service suffered. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, (Signed) [illegible], Acting Surveyor General. (True copy) Frederick W. Bruce
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34 Contract, for I consider, if. I retain A certain per-centages upon the work executed, I shall always in have the my power, and Contraton Caw deal with him accordingly; and. besides, it is difficult, and has hitherto been found, Sundarsland, impossible, to procure solvent and eligible hoursmen; for almost all Contracts, hitherti entered into with Chinamen have been obliged to be finished by Government, for the Works were taken at for too low Estimate; and the consequence was, when the parties found they would become lovers, An Seavily both Contractor and desomped in some instances. they Rey were imprisoned; but the still there, ando wil was the Public Service suffered I have te Cqued) [has & Sco: (beverly, Acting Surveyor General. (Iive copy) Rederick M.A... Bruce
2026-05-16 15:58:03 · Baseline
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34

Contract, for I consider, if. I

retain

A

certain per-centages upon

the work executed, I shall

always

in

have the

my power, and

Contraton

Caw

deal

with him accordingly; and. besides, it is difficult, and has hitherto been found, Sundarsland, impossible, to procure solvent and eligible hoursmen; for

almost all

Contracts, hitherti

entered into with Chinamen

have been obliged to be finished by Government, for the Works were taken at for too low

Estimate; and the consequence was, when the parties found they would become lovers,

An

Seavily

both Contractor and desomped in some instances.

they

Rey

were imprisoned; but the

still there, ando

wil was

the Public Service suffered

I have te

Cqued) [has & Sco: (beverly,

Acting Surveyor General.

(Iive copy)

Rederick M.A... Bruce

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